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NEW 5 T MARY-LE-&ONE CHURCH. 


loruhr/v, Pictlished, iy 'JuPn. AP,Long-evere /S33 . 


































































A TOPOGRAPHICAL 


AND HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 


OF THK 


PARISH OF ST. MARY-LE-BONE, 


COMPRISING 

A COPIOUS DESCRIPTION 


OF ITS 

PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ANTIQUITIES, SCHOOLS, CHARITABLE 
ENDOWMENTS, SOURCES OF PUBLIC AMUSEMENT, &c. 

WITH 

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF EMINENT PERSONS. 

Xllu£tratc$ to til) 

% 

SIX VIEWS AND A MAP. 


THE WHOLE COMPILED AND ARRANGED BY 


THOMAS SMITH 

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LONDON: 

PRINTED AND PURLISHED BV JOHN SMITH, 

49, LONG ACRE: 

AND SOLD BY GARDINER AND SON, PRINCES STREET, CAVENDISH 
SQUARE; BOWDERY AND KERBY, OXFORD STREET; J. BOOTH, 
DUKE STREET, PORTLAND PLACE; V. ELKINS, BAKER STREET; 
T. & J. HOITT, UPPER BERKELEY STREET; W. J. CLEAVER, KING 
STREET; J. LANGDON (CLERK OF ST. MARY’S), UPPER YORK 
STREET ; AND ALL OTHER BOOKSELLERS, 

1833. 




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LONDON: 

Printed by John Smith, 49, Long Arm;. 

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EDWARD BERKELEY PORTMAN, Esq. 


MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT 

FOR THE 

BOROUGH OF MARY-LE-BONE, 

THIS WORK 

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED; 

AS A HUMBLE 

BUT HEARTY TRIBUTE TO HIS PRIVATE WORTH, 
AND PUBLIC INTEGRITY. 

BY 

HIS FAITHFUL AND OBLIGED SERVANT, 


THOMAS SMITH. 








-OlffOii 




PREFACE. 


It has been well observed by an eminent writer, 
“ that the Public have a right to require of him 
who addresses them through the Press, and thereby 
calls upon them to sacrifice no small share of their 
time and attention, to render some account of his 
pretensions.” The Compiler of the present Volume, 
therefore, feels himself bound to comply with what 
has been so sensibly advanced. 

A continued residence of thirty-six years in the 
Parish of St. Mary-le-bone, and a constant ob¬ 
servation of its progressive improvement, even in 
that short period, combined with an inherent affec¬ 
tion for the place of his nativity, has induced the 
Compiler to devote a considerable portion of his 
time in collecting information, and preparing a 
full and authentic account of its rise and progress 
from the earliest period, to the present time; pre¬ 
suming that the importance of this populous dis¬ 
trict gives it a peculiar claim to an accurate and 
ample description. 

The close of the year 1832, has become memo¬ 
rable to all who feel an interest in the welfare of 
this division of the metropolis, from the extension 
of the elective franchise by an Act of the Legisla¬ 
ture, and the creation of the Borough of Mary- 
le-bone :—by which means 44 a population equal to 
that of most Capitals, and in intelligence and 



PREFACE. 


wealth not inferior to any on the globe,” became 
for the first time represented in the Great Council 
of the Nation. 

The utility of a Work of this description will 
not be denied; and if, after making a recent 
personal survey, and using the most unwearied 
industry in collecting materials, and procuring 
valuable information and communications, the 
writer shall have succeeded in producing a mis¬ 
cellany, at once interesting to the general reader 
and the lover of antiquarian research, he will have 
attained the highest point of his ambition. 

The following pages are, therefore, respectfully 
submitted to a generous and enlightened Public; 
with the entire confidence that the intention of the 
author will be duly appreciated, and in the hope 
that it will be found worthy of general approbation. 

The sincere and grateful acknowledgments of 
the Compiler are due to Sampson Hodgkinson, 
Esq. for many useful communications and free 
access to his library ; to John White, Esq. for the 
inspection of many valuable plans and documents 
relating to the Portland Estate; to James Hugo 
Greenwell, Esq. for his uniform kindness, and 
readiness to oblige; to the Rev. Dr. Dibdin, for 
occasional advice and assistance; to the Rev. 
Bryant Burgess, and to William George Paux, 
Esq. for the facility afforded to the Writer in the 
gratuitous inspection of the Parochial Registers, 


CONTENTS. 


Boundaries - - - - - 2,212 

Etymology - - - - 3 

Population - - - - - 4 

Roman Roads ----- 5 

Manor of Tybourn - - - - 6 

Descent of the Manor 9 

Noble Families.—Harley Family - - 10 

Portland Family - - -16 

Old Manor-House - 32 

Account of the Portland Estate in 1708 - 35 

Manor of File stone, - - - 37 

Portman Estate and Family - - 39 

St. John’s Wood Estate - - - - 44 

Eyre Family - - - - - 45 

Harrow School Estate 50 

Origin of Parochial Divisions - - 51 

Perambulations ----- 54 

Rectory or Curacy - - - - 56 

List of Incumbents - - - - 57 

The Old Church - - - - -59 

Monumental Inscriptions in Ditto - - 64 

Ditto, in the Churchyard - - - 81 

Parish Church ----- 89 

List of Monuments - - - - - 93 

Local Acts relative to District Churches - 99 

St. Mary’s Church - - - 102 

Western National School - - -107 

All Souls Church - - - - 110 

Eastern National School - - - 1 ] 3 

Christ-Churcli - - - - 115 

Trinity Church - - - 118 

Chapels of Ease - 123 

Dissenting Chapels - - - - 126 

Cemetery on the South side of Paddington Street 127 

Ditto, on the North Side of Ditto - - 131 

St. John’s Wood Chapel - - - - 136 

List of Monuments in Ditto - - - 13/ 

Ditto in the Cemetery at Ditto - - 140 

Conduits and Water-Works - - - 146 

Oxford Street ----- 149 

Place of Execution - - - - 152 

Cavendish Square - - - - - 154 


CONTENTS. 


High Street - 

The Rose of Normandy - 

Mary-le-bone Gardens 

Parish Charity School 

Centred National School 

Central District Provident Society 

Police Office - - - 

Infant School - - - 

The New Road 

Philologiccd School 

New North Road 

Queen’s Lying-In Hospital 

Western General Dispensary 


Portman Square - - - - 197 

Manchester Square - - - - 199 

Bryanston and Montagu Squares - - 201 

Lord’s Cricket Ground - 203 

Streets and Avenues - 205,214 

Middlesex Hospitcd - 207 

Portman Market - - - - 218 

Regent’s Canal - - - - - 219 

Clergy Orphan Schools - - *■ 221 

Cumberland Place - 223 

Stratford Place - 225 

Estate of John Thomas Hope, Esq. - - 228 

Welbeck Street ----- 230 

St. Mary-le-bone General Dispensary - 231 

Regent Circus ----- 239 

Portland Place - 240 

Park Crescent - - - - - 241 

Mary-le-bone Park - 243 

Truschessian Gallery - 246‘ 

Regent’s Park - 248 

Primrose Hill ----- 257 

Murder of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey - ib. 

Sanguinary Duel - 258 

The Volunteers ----- 264 

Court House - 267 

Vestry - 268 

Workhouse and Infirmary - - - 271 

Borough of Mary-le-bone - - - 276 

Election - - - - - 277 

Biographical Notices. — Humphrey Wanley - 281 

John Abbadie, D. D. - - - 282 

James Gibbs, Esq. - ib. 

William Guthrie - 283 

Anthony Relhan - - - ib. 

James Ferguson - ib. 


ib. 

162 

170 

]76 

178 

179 
ib. 
183 

- 187 
256, 260 

- 191 


CONTENTS. 


Archibald Bower - - 284 

Mark Anthony Joseph Baretti - 285 

Francis Wheatley, Esq. R. A. - - 286 

George Stubbs, Esq. - ib. 

Admiral Sir Richard King, Bart. - - 287 

Stephen Riou - ib. 

Allan Ramsay, Esq. - ib. 

Sir George Collier, Knt. - - ib. 

Stephen Storace, Esq. - 288 

William Cramer - - - H>. 

Rev. Charles W^esley - ib. 

Alexander Dairymple, Esq. - 289 

Thomas Holcroft - - - 290 

John Vandrebank - ib. 

John Michael Rysbrach - - - 291 

John W^ootton - - - ib. 

Benjamin West, P.R.A. - - - 293 

Joseph Nollekens, R. A. - - 294 

John Bacon, R. A. - - - - 294 

Sir Francis Bourgeois, R. A. - - 242,296 

John Jackson, R. A. - ib. 

The Rev. William Holwell Carr - - 297 

David Pike Watts, Esq. - - ib. 

Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart. - - 298 

Mrs. Elizabeth Montague - - 301 

The Rev. Dr. Geddes - - - 302 

The Rev. Basil Woodd - - 304 

James Brooke, Esq. - 305 

Count Simon Woronzow - ib. 

Sir George Leonard Staunton, Bart. - - 306 

Richard Brothers - ib. 

Eccentric Characters.—John Elwes, Esq. - 307 

Mr.Custance - - - 311 

Remarkable Events.—Cato Street Conspiracy 312 

Murder of Sir Charles Warwick Bampfylde 315 
Fire in Wells Street - - - ib. 

Death of Joanna Southcott - - 316 

District Societies - - - 317 

St. Mary-le-bone Savings Bank. - - 318 

Queen’s Bazaar - - - - - -319 


LIST OF EMBELLISHMENTS. 


* Map of tlie Parish, {facing title -'page.') 

♦"View of the Old Manor House, - page 32 
► — Parish Church, 89 

* — St. Mary’s Church, - 102 

* — All Souls’ Church, - 110 

* — Christ Church, - 115 

— Trinity Church, - - 118 


























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AN 


HISTORICAL ACCOUNT 

OF THE 

PARISH OF ST. MARY-LE-BONE. 


The Parish of St. Mavy-le-bone is situated in the 
County of Middlesex, and Hundred of Ossulston. 
This County derives its name from its position 
relatively to the three surrounding kingdoms of 
the Heptarchy ; namely, the East, West, and 
South Saxons; of the first of which, or East Sex, 
it formed a part during the long period of about 
three centuries. Though of an irregular figure it 
resembles a parallelogram, 20 miles long, and 14 
broad, with an area of 288 square miles, or 179,200 
acres. It is also divided into six Hundreds, 
exclusive of the Cities and Liberties of London and 
Westminster, and the Tower Hamlets. It con¬ 
tains 230 parishes, precincts, and extra parochial 
places: of which 98 are exclusive of London and 
Westminster; 122 are within the City of London; 
and 10 in the City and Liberty of Westminster. 

The Hundred of Ossulston * comprehends the 

* Ossulstan .—The word Ossulstan is probably of Saxon origin ; 
and a writer on the Antiquities of Middlesex conjectures that it 
was named after the original proprietor of this part of the Country, 
who was called Ossul , or that the word is a corruption of OssuL's 
Tuna , or oldest Town ; alluding to Loudon as being the most 
ancient town in the County at the period when Middlesex was 
divided into tythings and hundreds. But this supposition does 
B 



2 


BOUNDARIES. 


whole of the Middlesex environs ol the metro¬ 
polis. On the west it abuts on the Hundreds of 
Isleworth and Elthorne; on the north it meets the 
Hundred of Gore and Edmonton; and the latter 
district runs in contiguity with its limits on the 
east, until the river Lea forms a natural boundary 
on the Essex side. The great increase of build¬ 
ings and population in a division of the county 
so intimately blended with the metropolis, have 
caused, for the convenience of internal political 
arrangements, several subdivisions to be made at 
various periods; one of which took place in the 
year 1822, when, by an Act of Parliament, 3 Geo. 
IV. cap. 84. sec. 45., a new and distinct division 
of the Hundred of Ossulston was created, to be 
described by the name or style of u The Division of 
the Parish of St. Mary-le-hone , within the Hundred 
of Ossulston , in the County of Middlesex 

This Hundred also affords the title of Baron, to 
Charles Bennet, Earl of Tankerville. The Bennet 
family was anciently seated in Berkshire. Sir John 
Bennet (made Knight of the Bath at the Corona¬ 
tion of Charles II.), was a faithful adherent to the 
royal cause during the darkest periods of internal 
convulsion in the seventeenth century; and in 
consequence of such services he was, in the year 
1682, advanced, by the restored Monarch, to the 
dignity of a Baron of this realm, by the title of 
Lord of Ossulston, Baron of Ossulston. His 
Lordship was twice married. His first lady was 
Elizabeth, Countess of Mulgrave, daughter of 
Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex. Charles, 

not appear to be supported by sufficient authority. It has been 
suggested, as a more probable conjecture, that it derives its name 
from the old German word IVaasel , which signifies water; the 
Hundred being surrounded and intersected, with rivers and water¬ 
courses — Faulkner's Hist, of Kensington. 

* By 3d Geo. IV. cap. 84, sec. 46 —The Magistrates for the 
County of Middlesex are empowered to hold General Meetings, for 
the purpose of granting Licences, &c. in the Court-House of the 
said Parish. 


ETYMOLOGY. 


3 


second Lord Ossulston, was created Earl of Tan- 
kerville in 1714, which honour has descended 
uninterruptedly, from father to son, upon Charles 
Augustus, present and fifth Earl, through the 
intervening Earls, all named Charles. The first 
Earl died in 1722; the second in 1753; the third 
in 1767; and the fourth Earl, who was succeeded 
by his eldest son, the present Earl, in 1822. 

The Parish of St. Mary-le-bone derives its name 
from the ancient village ofTy-borne, orTy-bourne, 
which was situated on the eastern bank of a brook 
or rivulet (Bourn being the Saxon word for a 
brook), which passed, under different denomina¬ 
tions, from Hampstead into the Thames. When 
the site of the church, which was originally 
dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, and subse¬ 
quently to the Blessed Virgin Mary, was removed 
to another spot near the same brook, it was called 
St. Mary at the Bourne, afterwards corrupted to 
Marybourne , Marybone , Mary-la-bonne, and now 
styled in the preambles of its various local legis¬ 
lative enactments, St. Mary-le-bone** f 

Tyborne Brook, which appears to have been 
formerly of some consequence, from the circum¬ 
stance of a bridge over it in Oxford Street, having 
been widened in 1737, has long since been con¬ 
verted into a sewer, running from the high grounds 
on the south side of Hampstead, entering Mary- 
le-bone by its northern boundary near the west 
i i W 1 ugh the Park in a direction 



crossing the New Road at 


Alsop’s Buildings; Oxford Street, at the corner 
of Stratford Place; Piccadilly, at the lowest part; 
and passing down the Green Park below the 
Basin; continues through Buckingham Gate, to 
Charlotte Street, Pimlico; from whence it is an 

* In the Valor of Pope Nicholas, written in the reign of Edw. I. 
it is called Ecclesia de Tyborne : in a Record of the reign of 
Hen. VIII. (Pat. 17, Hen. VIII.) it is called Tyborne, alias Ma- 
ryborne, alias Marybourne.— Lysons's Environs , vol. iii. p. 224. 


4 


POPULATION. 


open sewer, through the low lands on the west 
side of Tothill Fields, crossing the Yauxhall 
Road, and discharging itself into the Thames, at a 
place called King’s Scholars’ Pond, a little above 
Vauxhall Bridge. It is described by the Commis¬ 
sioners of Sewers as King’s Scholars ’ Pond Sewer. 

The Parish of St. Mary-le-bone is bounded by 
the parishes of St. Giles and Pancras, on the east; 
by Hampstead on the north; Paddington on the 
west; and on the south by St. George’s, Hanover 
Square, St. James’s, and St. Anne’s, Soho. It is 
two miles and a half W. N.W. from St. Paul’s 
Cathedral,* eight and a quarter miles in circum¬ 
ference, and contains about 1,700 acres of land; 
of which, till within the last 70 years, two-thirds 
w^ere chiefly occupied as pasture-fields. This parish 
is charged the sum of 564/. 5s. Id. to the land-tax, 
which, as early as the year 1794 (such had been 
the improvement of property by the increase of 
buildings), was raised by a rate of only one farthing 
in the pound.f 

The order of the strata observed on digging 
wells, as exhibited in the southern parts of the 
Parish, is, immediately under the surface, from five 
to ten feet of flinty gravel; leaden coloured clay 
from 1 to 300 feet in thickness; loose sand, gravel, 
and water; while sand and gravel, intermixed 
with loam, constitute the prevailing ingredients 
of the soil in the northern or uppermost parts. 


Comparative Account of the Population of this 
Parish, in the years 1801, 1811, 1821, and 1831, 
from the Returns printed by Order of the House 
of Commons, Oct. 19, 1831. 


Population, in 1801, 


63,982 

75,624 

96,040 

122,206 


1811, 

1821, 

1831, 


* Carlisle^ Topog-. Diet. 1808. 
f Lysons’s Environs, vol. iii p. 243. 


ROMAN ROADS. 


5 

Annual Value of the Real Property, as assessed 
April, 1815, . . . £509,244 

Ditto, as assessed March, 1828 . 692,085 

Ditto, as assessed in 1832, - - 732,134 

The ancient Roman military way (the Watling 
Street) , formed the western boundary of this 
parish, coming from Edgware, and continuing 
over part of Hyde Park, and through St. James’s 
Park to the street by Old Palace Yard, anciently 
called the Wool Staple, to the Thames. This 
road was continued, on the opposite side of the 
river, from Stangate Ferry to Canterbury, and so 
to the three famous sea-ports, Rutupiae, Dubris, 
and Lemanis. 

The Roman road, which Dr. Stukeley calls “ Via 
Trinovantica,” and which began at the sea-coast 
in Hampshire, and ended at the sea-coast in 
Suffolk, near Aldborough, running from south¬ 
west to south-east through London, also passed 
through the southern extremity of this parish. 
Dr. Stukeley says, s< This is the common road 
at present from Staines towards London, till you 
come to Turnham Green, there the present road 
through Hammersmith and Kensington leaves it, 
for it passes more northward upon the Common; 
then it goes over a little brook called from it 
Stanford Bridge, and comes into the Acton Road, 
at a common and a bridge, a little west of Cam¬ 
den House, so along Hyde Park wall, and crosses 
the Watling Street at Tyburn, then along Ox¬ 
ford Street , and continued to Old Street (Eald 
Street ) going north of London. This road was 
originally carried north of London, in order to 
pass into Essex, because London was then not 
considerable, but in a little time became well 
nigh lost, and Holborn (Oldbourne w r as struck 
out from it, as conducting travellers thither, 
directly entering the City at Newgate, originally 
called Chamberlain’s Gate, and so to London 


6 


MANOR. 


Stone, the lapis miliar is, from which distances arc 
reckoned.”* 

The following accurate account of the Manor of 
Tybourn, with its descent to the present proprietors 
is taken from Lysons’s Environs, vol. iii. p. 243-4. 

Manor of Tybourn. 

The Manor of Tybourn, containing five hides, 
is described, in Domesday-Book, as parcel of the 
ancient demesnes of the Abbess and Convent of 
Barking,f who held it under the Crown. w The 
land,” says the Survey, “ is three carucates.J 
Two hides are in demesne, on which is one plough ; 
the villans employ two ploughs; there are two 
villans holding half a hide, one villan who holds 
half a virgate;§ two bordars who have 10 acres, 
and three cottars. || There is pasture for the cattle 

* Stukeley’s Itinerarium Curiosum, Iter vii. p. 205, &c. 

•p Abbey of Barking in Essex. —“ Erkenwald son of Anna, 
King of the East Angles, and afterwards Bishop of London, 
founded here a monastery of Religious Virgins, A. D.675; which 
continued till the general dissolution, temp. Hen. VIII., when it 
appeared to he 862/. 12s. 5 d. ob. per ann. as Dngdale, and 
1084/. 6s. 2d. ob. q. as Speed. It was of the Order of St. Bene¬ 
dict, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Ethel- 
burgha, or Alburgh, the first Abbess, sister to the Founder. The 
site of this House was granted, 5th Edw. VI. to Edward Lord 
Clinton.”— Tanner's Notitia Monastica. 

“ The Abbess was Lady paramount in all the Manor within 
this half hundred, i. e. Becontree, as is still the Lord of Barking 
Manor, and she held of the king by an entire Barony, there being 
but three more of the kind in England, viz. the Prioresses of 
Wilton, Shaftsbury, and Winchester.”— Morant's Essex, p. 2 and 
4, vol. i. 

J “ Dr. Thoroton, says, carucates and kides were the very 
same, and contained 100 acres, six score to the Hundred, more or 
less, according to the stiffness of the soil.’* 

§ Virgate. —The fourth part of one earucate or hide. 

|| Villanus and villain , which can in its original use only be 
construed a villager , is by a modern writer distorted into a slave , 
villain , &c. Lee, in his History of Lewes and Brighthelmstone, 
published 1795, candidly observes : “ We frequently meet in almost 
every part of Domesday, with servus , cotarifus or coterellus , bor- 
darius , and villanus , which I take to be only accidental distinc¬ 
tions, and not any discriminate classification, as to the origin and 
degrees of bondage.” 


MANOR. 


7 


of the village, pannage * for 50 hogs, and 40 pence 
arising from the herbage. In the whole valued 
at 52 Shillings; in K. Edward’s time at 100 Shil¬ 
lings.” 

Robert de Vere, who held this manor under the 
Abbey of Barking, gave it in marriage with his 
daughter Joan, to William de Insula, Earl War¬ 
ren and Surrey,f whose son John dying without 
issue, it descended to Richard, Earl of Arundel, 
son of his sister Alice.;}: After the death of 
Richard the succeeding Earl, who was beheaded 
in 1394,§ his estates became the joint property of 

* Pannage.— (( This was an usual method of stating' the quan¬ 
tity of wood upon an estate ; which seems to imply that the woods 
were considered as of no other value than to afford pannage for hogs. 
Indeed, a wood that yielded neither acorns nor beech mast, is in 
the Domesday Survey called Silva infructuosa. The ancient in¬ 
habitants of England subsisting principally upon salt meat during 
the winter, the rearing of swine was an important article of rural 
economy. Dr. Whitaker remarks, “that though the hog would of 
course be put. up to fatten, at that time as at present, he was in his 
general habits more of a wild animal than now, feeding, as his 
snout imports, upon roots, mast, &c. and very far from the filthy 
impounded glutton to which we have degraded him.”— Park's 
Hist. Hampstead , p. 81. 

f Dugdale's Baronage , vol. i. p. 192. There was a grant 
from the Crown to William de Insula, in 1285^ perhaps by way of 
confirmation. Pat. 13, Edw. I. m. 15. William de Insula and 
Joan his wife, confirmed a life interest in this manor, to Alice de 
Vere, Countess of Oxford, who died seised of it in 1813. The 
manor was then valued at 5 1. 135. 5c?. viz. A capital messuage, 
12c?.; 120 acres of arable, at 4c?. per acre; 5 acres of meadow, 
at 15. ; 2 of pasture, at 4c?, each ; services of the tenants 10$. bd .; 
quit-rents from the freeholders, 485 ; rents from the copyholders, 
85. 4c?.—(Esch. 6 Edw. II. No. 39). After this, Ralph de Cob- 
ham was lessee under John de Insula, and died seized of the 
manor so held, anno 19 Edw. (Esch. No. 93.) 

J Inquisition taken after the death of John de Insula. The 
manor then contained, a capital messuage ; 130 acres of arable, 
valued at 4 1. 05. 8c?.; 136 of pasture, bbs. ; 4 of meadow, 45. ; 
and quit-rents, 585. 2 d. (Esch. 21 Edw. III. No. 58.) In the 
year 1345, there was a grant from the Crown lo Richard Earl of 
Arundel of the reversion of this manor, which he had before given 
to the King after the death of John de Insula.—Pot. 12. Edw. III. 
pt. 1. m 1. 

§ Richard, Earl of Arundel, had granted it for life to his chain- 


DESCENT OF 


8 

his daughters and coheirs. # William, Marquis of 
Berkley, who had an interest in this inheritance, 
as descended from John Fitzalan, through the 
Mowbrays, is said to have given the manor of 
Marybone to Sir Reginald Bray, prime minister 
to Henry VII. but I imagine it was only his 

berlain, Stephen Hyndcrcle, alias Clerk, in consideration of his 
good services-, the reversion to vest in the Earl and his heirs.— 
Bund. Forisfact. 21 Ric. II. (In the Tower.) 

This unfortunate nobleman fell a sacrifice to the cruel and in¬ 
flexible temper of Richard II. He was accused of High Treason, 
for being one of the Commissioners appointed by the Parliament 
of 1386, to whom was committed the inspection of the administra¬ 
tion of the Public affairs, and for which the King had granted a 
pardon nine years before; he was tried, and sentenced to die by 
the Parliament, on the 21st September. Froissart says, u the 
King would be present at Arundel’s execution.” Another His¬ 
torian adds, “ that the spectacle remained so deeply impressed on 
his memory, that his sleep was often interrupted by dreams, re¬ 
presenting to him the Earl covered with blood, and upbraiding 
him with injustice.” To this contributed perhaps the rumour 
that several miracles were wrought at the tomb of the deceased, 
which was in the church of the Augustin Fryers in London, and 
that his head was miraculously rejoined to his body. Though to 
prevent the ill consequences of this false notion, the King had 
ordered the corpse to be taken up and exposed to public view, ten 
days together in a church, it was not possible to cure the people of 
their prepossession.— Rapin's Hist, of England. 

* It appears by an Inquisition taken 1 Edw. IV. (No 46), that 
the inheritance came between the Nevills, Mowbrays, and Lent- 
halls. Edward Nevill, Lord Abergavenny, died (anno 1477) 
seised of a third part of the manor, in right of Elizabeth his wife, 
daughter and heir of Richard Earl of Worcester.—Esch. 16 Edw. 
IV. No. 38. 

f Dugdale’s Baronage, vol. i. p. 3. 

August 5,1503.—Died Sir Reginald Bray, a man distinguished 
for his bravery in the field, and for his skill in architecture, of 
which science he was a complete master : the existing testimonies 
of his great ability are Henry Vllth’s Chapel in Westminster Ab¬ 
bey, and St. George’s Chapel Windsor; the former structure he 
has the credit of being the draughtsman of, and the latter he was 
concerned in finishing and perfecting. From these great per¬ 
formances in art, we turn to his feats in arms; passing over the 
fight in Bosworth Field, where he behaved valorously for Richard, 
we come to the battle of Blackheath, where he was instrumental 
in taking prisoner the Lord Audley, who had joined the Cornish 
rebels, and in suppressing the rebellion ; for which services he 
was rewarded by Henry VII. with the land of the traitorous noble- 


THE MANOR. 


9 


share in it; for it appears that Thomas Hobson, 
about the year 1503, purchased three parts of this 
manor of Lord Abergavenny, the Earl of Derby, 
and the Earl of Surrey.* It is probable that he 
purchased the remaining part of Sir Reginald 
Bray. In the year 1544, Thomas Hobson, son 
(it is supposed) of the last-mentioned Thomas, 
exchanged this manor with the king for some 
church lands.f Queen Elizabeth, in 1583, granted 
a lease of this manor to Edward Forset, for 21 
years, at the yearly rent of 16/. 11s. 8c?.; and in 
1595, to Robert Conquest and others (trustees 
it is probable), on the same terms.J In the year 
1611, King James granted the manor with all its 
appurtenances, excepting the park, for the sum of 
829/. 3 s. 4o?., to Edward Forset, Esq.§ in whose 
family it continued several years, and then passed 
into that of Austen, by the intermarriage of Ara¬ 
bella Forset, with Thomas Austen, Esq.|| In the 
year 1710, it was purchased of John Austen, Esq. 
(afterwards Sir John Austen, Bart.) by John 
Holies, Duke of Newcastle^!, whose only daughter 

man. Sir Reginald received many other marks of the King’s 
bounty and favour, which he died enjoying. By historians he is 
called “ the father of his country, a sage and grave person, and a 
fervent lover of justice, and one who would often admonish the 
King when he did any thing contrary to justice or equity.”— 
Universal Chronology. 

* From MSS. in the possession of John White, Esq. of Devon¬ 
shire Place. 

f Particulars for Leases in the Augmentation Office. 

J Ibid. § Pat. 9. Jac. pt. 7. No. 10. || Newcourt, v. i. 

f From the information of John White, Esq. The purchase 
money was 17,500/. 5 the rental then 900/. per annum. 

John Holies, first Earl of Clare, (socreated 1624), died 1637, 
leaving John, second Earl, who dying 1665, left Gilbert, third 
Earl, who dying-, 1689, left John, fourth Earl, who marrying 
Margaret, daughter and coheir of Henry Cavendish, Duke of 
Newcastle, was himself created Duke of Newcastle, in 1694; His 
Grace died July 15, 1711, when his titles became extinct. He 
was buried in Westminster Abbey on the 9th of August, and a 
magnificent monument was erected to his memory. His daughter 
Henrietta married Edward Harley, 2d Earl of Oxford ; and his 
sister marrying Thomas Lord Pelham, was mother of Thomas Lord 
Pelham, created Duke of Newcastle. 

B 3 


10 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


and heir, married Edward Harley, Earl of Oxford 
and Mortimer. This manor is now the property 
of His Grace the Duke of Portland; William the 
second Duke of Portland, having married Lady 
Margaret Cavendish Harley, Heiress of the two 
noble families of Newcastle and Oxford. 

Having thus given Mr. Lysons’s Account of the 
Descent of the Manor, with additional notes, it 
may not be improper to introduce here some ac¬ 
count of the families of the Proprietors. 


Historical Account of the Harley Family. 

The Harleys can be traced with great lustre to 
a very early period. In 3 Edw. I. Richard de 
Harley held the manor of Harley, in Shropshire; 
and 28 Edw. I. represented that County in Parlia¬ 
ment ; he died about 13 Edw. II. His son Robert, 
by marriage with the heiress of Brampton, ob¬ 
tained Brampton Castle, in Herefordshire, the 
future residence of the family. His descendant, 
Thomas Harley, Esq. of Brampton, born about 
1548, had a grant 1 James I. of the honour and 
Castle of Wigmore; he died aged, in 1631. Sir 
Robert, his son was born 1579, at Wigmore Castle, 
was made Knight of the Bath, 1603, and Master 
of the Mint, 1626; he afterwards embraced the 
side of the Parliament, and was Captain of a troop 
of Horse in their service. His wife heroically de¬ 
fended his Castle at Brampton, which was besieged 
in 1643, and after a noble defence, was surrendered 
and burnt, as well as that of Wigmore. In that 
destruction perished a rich library of books and 
MSS. and furniture, &c. valued at 50,000/. Sir 
Henry Lingen’s Estate (who had besieged the 
Castle, and burnt the Town of Brampton, &c.) 
was afterwards laid under sequestration, and the 
profits thereof ordered to make satisfaction for 
those great damages. Yet so honourable, so com- 



NOBLE FAMILIES. 


11 


passionate was Colonel Harley, that, after an In¬ 
ventory had been taken of all the personal estate 
and goods, he waited on the Lady Lingen (Sir 
Henry being dead) and having asked whether that 
was a perfect Inventory , and she had signed the 
same , he presented it to her, with all his right 
thereto ;* he died 1656. Colonel Edward Harley, 
.his son, engaged actively on the same side with 
his father; but concurring in the Restoration, was 
made Governor of Dunkirk, and Knight of the 
Bath. He sat in the House of Commons for the 
town of Radnor, or County of Hereford, during 
the reigns of Charles II. and William III. and 
died Dec. 8, 1700, set. 77. His celebrated son 
Robert, was born in Bow Street, Co vent Garden, 
9th Dec. 1661, and first sat in Parliament for 
Tregony, and afterwards for Radnor. In the reign 
of King William he opposed the Court. 44 He 
was a man,” says Burnet, 44 of a noble family, and 
very eminently learned; much turned to politics, 
and of a restless ambition. He was a man of great 
industry and application; and knew forms, and 
the records of Parliament so well, that he was 
capable of both lengthening out, and perplexing 
debates. Nothing could answer his aspiring tem¬ 
per ; so he and Foley joined with the Tories to 
create jealousies and raise an opposition.” In 
1701, he was chosen Speaker, on the change of 
Ministry. In 1704, he was appointed Secretary 
of State; and in 1710 he was made Chancellor of 
the Exchequer. On the 8th of March, 1711, he 
was in great danger of his life; the Marquis de 
Guiscard, a French papist then under examination 
by a Committee of the Privy Council at White¬ 
hall, stabbing him with a pen-knife, which he took 
up in the clerk’s room, where he waited before he 


* Collins’s Historical Collections of the Noble Families of 
Cavendish, Holies, Veve, Harley, and Ogle, fol. 1752, p. 199. 


12 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


was examined. Guiscard was imprisoned, and 
died in Newgate on the 17th of the same month ; 
and an Act of Parliament was passed making it 
felony without benefit of Clergy, to attempt the 
life of a Privy-Counsellor in the execution of his 
office; and a clause was inserted: “To justify 
and indemnify all persons, who in assisting in de¬ 
fence of Mr. Harley, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 
when he was stabbed by the Sieur de Guiscard, 
and in securing him, did give any wound or bruise 
to the said Sieur de Guiscard, whereby he received 
his death.” The House of Commons voted an 
address to the Queen on this alarming occasion, 
and, upon his recovery, and attending the House, 
on the 26th of April, the Speaker addressed him 
in a respectful and congratulatory speech on his 
escape and recovery; to which Mr. Harley returned 
as respectful an answer. In 1711, Queen Anne, 
to reward his many eminent services, was pleased 
to advance him to the peerage, by the style and 
titles of Baron Harley of Wigmore, in the County 
of Hereford, Earl of Oxford and Mortimer; with 
remainder for want of issue male of his own body, 
to the heirs male of Sir Robert Harley, Kt. of the 
Bath, his grandfather. On the 29th of May, 1711, 
he was appointed Lord High Treasurer of Great 
Britain; and on the 15th of August he was chosen 
Governor of the South Sea Company, as he had 
been their founder and chief regulator. October 
26, 1712, he was elected a Knight Companion of 
the most noble Order of the Garter. July 27, 1714, 
he resigned his staff of Lord High Treasurer, into 
the Queen’s hand at Kensington, she dying upon 
the 1st of August following. On the accession of 
George I. he was impeached by the House of 
Commons, of High Treason, and high crimes and 
misdemeanours; and on July the 16th, 1715, was 
committed to the Tower of London, by the House 
of Lords, where he was confined till July 1, 1717, 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


13 

and then, after a public trial, was unanimously 
acquitted by his Peers. He died at his house in 
Albemarle Street, in 1724,* set 64. Pope, in his 
noble lines dedicating Parnell’s Poems to this 
Earl, celebrated him as possessing 

“ A soul supreme, in each hard instance tried. 

Above all pain, all anger, and all pride; 

The rage of power, the blast of public breath. 

The lust of lucre, and the dread of death.” 

He was a great encourager of learning,f and 
the greatest collector in his time of all curious 
Books and Manuscripts, especially those concern¬ 
ing the history of his own country. 

After his Lordship’s decease, the following cha¬ 
racter was also given of him. “ During the time 
he was prime Minister, notwithstanding such a 
weight of affairs rested on him, he was easy and 
disengaged in private conversation. Intrepid by 
nature, as well as by the consciousness of his own 
integrity, he would have chosen rather to fall by 
an impeachment, than to have been saved by an 
act of grace; sagacious to view into the remotest 
consequence of things, by which all difficulties 
fled before him. He was a courteous neighbour, a 
firm and affectionate friend, and a kind, generous, 
and placable enemy; sacrificing his just resent¬ 
ments, not only to public good, but to common 
intercession and acknowledgment. He was a de- 
spiser of money; and, what is yet more rare, an 

* On a spare leaf of one of the MSS. in the Harleian Library, 
Mr. Wanley, his Librarian, has made the following- remarkable 
Entry, ** 21st May, 1724. To-day about ten of the clock, it pleased 
Almighty God to call to his mercy from this troublesome world, 
the Right Honourable Robert, Earl of Oxford, the founder of this 
Library, who long had been to me a munificent Patron, and my 
most kind and gracious Lord and Master.” 

■f His Memory has been embalmed by the circle of wits, whom 
he admitted to his hours of leisure and hospitality. Pope, Swift, 
Parnell, Gay, and Prior, were among his most intimate associates. 
— Collins's Biog. Peerage , augmented, by Sir Egerton Brydges . 


14 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


uncorrupted Minister of State ; which appeared, 
by not having made the least accession to his 
fortune.” 

He was succeeded by his son Edward Harley; 
who is remarkable for having generously com¬ 
pleted that splendid collection of MSS. which now 
forms the principal treasure of the British Mu¬ 
seum. He obtained a great estate by marrying the 
heiress of John Holies, Duke of Newcastle; and 
left all that estate, with his literary treasures, to 
his only child Lady Margaret Cavendish Harley, 
afterwards Duchess of Portland; who died in 1785. 
He died June 16, 1741, aged 42, at his house in 
Dover Street; and was buried in Westminster 
Abbey. 

Leaving no male issue by his Lady (who sur¬ 
vived him till Dec. 8, 1775,) his honours devolved 
on Edward Harley, Esq. then Knight of the Shire 
for the County of Hereford, son and Heir of 
Edward Harley, of Eywood, in the same County, 
Esq., one of the Auditors of the Imprest; who was 
next brother to Robert, first Earl of Oxford and 
Mortimer, according to the limitation of the patent, 
May 24, 1711, 10 Q. Anne. 

The Hon. and Rev. John Harley, 2d son of 
Edward, 3d Earl of Oxford, was born Sept. 29, 
1728, and appointed Dean of Windsor in Jan. 
1778, and Bishop of Hereford, 1787. He was also 
Rector of Mary-le-bone, Middlesex; and Presteign, 
in Radnorshire; and died Jan. 7, 1788. 

This Library contained, at the time of the death 
of Edward, Lord Harley, near 8000 volumes of 
MSS. But many of them being composed of 
several distinct and independent treatises, the 
number of Books, separately considered, may be 
reckoned to amount to upwards of 10,000; exclu¬ 
sive of several loose Papers, which have been 
sorted and bound up in volumes, and above 40,000 
original rolls, Charters with their confirmations. 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


15 


Letters Patent, Signs Manual, Privy Seals, Grants, 
Feoffments, Final Concords, Exchanges, Warrants, 
and other Deeds and Instruments of great an¬ 
tiquity ; for the most part relating to Great Britain 
and Ireland. 

44 The Harleian Collection of MSS. was pur¬ 
chased by government for 10,000/. and deposited 
in the British Museum. The Books* were dis¬ 
posed of to Thomas Osborne, of Gray’s Inn, Book¬ 
seller;—to the irreparable loss, and almost in¬ 
delible disgrace, of the country. It is indeed for 
ever to be lamented, that a collection, so exten¬ 
sive, so various, so magnificent, and intrinsically 
valuable, should have become the property of one, 
who, necessarily, from his situation in life, became 
a purchaser, only that he might be a vender, of 
the volumes. Osborne gav€L 13,000/. for the col¬ 
lection ; a sum, which must excite the astonish¬ 
ment of the present age, when it is informed that 
Lord Oxford gave 18,000/. for the Binding only, 
of the least part of them.”— Dibdbi’s Bibliomania , 
p. 461. 

I shall conclude this notice of the Harleian 


* Books in the Harleian Library. 

Volumes. 

Theology—Greek, Lat. French, Italian. 2,000 

- English . 2,500 

History and Antiquity. 4,000 

Philosophy, Chemistry, and Medicine . 3,100 

Geography, Chronology, and General History . 590 

Voyages and Histories relating to the East and West-Indies .. 800 

Civil, Canon, and Statute Law. 1,100 

Books of Sculpture, Architecture, &c. 900 

Greek and Latin Classics, Grammars and Lexicons. 2,400 

Books printed upon Vellum, upwards of 70 fol., 40 4to., 100, 8vo. 220 

English Poetry, Romances, and Novels . 900 

Livres Fran$ais, Italian et Hispan. 700 

Parliamentary Affairs and Trials. 400 

Trade and Commerce . 300 

On different subjects under fifty different heads. 4,000 

Pamphlets, about. 400,000 

Articles. 

Prints, Sculpture, and Drawings. 20,000 

Portraits, 102 large folio vols., containing about ... 10,000 


Dibdbi’s Director. 



















16 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


Library, with the following extract from the Pre¬ 
face to the Catalogue of the MSS. published by 
Order of the Trustees of the British Museum. 
44 It would be a gross and unpardonable injustice 
to those who have been great benefactors to the 
Public, to omit the present opportunity of acknow¬ 
ledging, that the Harleian MSS. being placed in 
the British Museum as an addition to the Cotto¬ 
nian Library, to be consulted by the curious, and 
for public use to all posterity, confer an obligation 
on the learned, for which they stand indebted to 
the generous and public spirited offer made by the 
late Duke of Portland, and his Duchess, only 
daughter and heiress of Edward Earl of Oxford, 
and to the favour and munificence of Parliament. 
An event which hath not only united two very 
valuable Collections of ancient MSS. but happily 
secured to this country the most complete and 
extensive fund of national antiquities, that any 
kingdom can boast of.” 


Historical Account of the Portland Family. 

Henry Bentinck, Heer Van Diepenham, in 
Overyssel, where his family had flourished for 
many ages, had issue three sons; Henry, his heir; 
Joseph, a general officer in the service of the 
States - Gen eral; and William, who was created 
Earl of Portland: he had also four daughters, 
Eleanor, married to the Baron of Nienuren 
Huishen in Overyssel; Anne, married to the 
Baron of Van Zandenburgh in Utrecht; Sophia* 
wife to the Baron of Van Engelenburgh; and 
Joanna Maria Van Bentinck, who died unmarried, 
in 1705. 

William Bentinck (afterwards Earl of Portland) 
in his youth was page of honour to William, Prince 
of Orange; and from thence was advanced to the 



NOBLE FAMILIES. 


17 

place of gentleman of his bedchamber. In 1670, 
he accompanied him into England; and his High¬ 
ness, in a visit to the University of Oxford,* being 
complimented with the degree of Doctor of the 
Civil Laws, Dec. 20,1670; Mr. Bentinck had also 
the same degree then conferred on him. In 1675, 
on the Prince of Orange being attacked with the 
small-pox, which had been very fatal in his family, 
Sir William Temple has made this observation 
(Memoirs, vol. i. p. 97, 98) on Mr. Bentinck’s 
care and assiduity:—“ I cannot forbear to give 
Monsieur Bentinck the character due to him, of 
the best servant I have known in Princes’ or pri¬ 
vate families. He tended his master, during the 
whole course of his disease, both night and day; 
and the Prince told me, that whether he slept or 
no he could not tell; but in sixteen days and 
nights, he never called once that he was not an¬ 
swered by Monsieur Bentinck, as if he had been 
awake. The first time the Prince was well enough 
to have his head opened and combed, Monsieur 
Bentinck, as soon as it was done, begged of his 
master to give him leave to go home, for he was 
able to hold up no longer; he did so, and fell 
immediately sick of the same disease, and in great 
extremity ; but recovered just soon enough to 
attend the Prince into the field, where he was ever 
next his person.” 

In 1677, His Highness the Prince of Orange 
sent him into England, to solicit Charles II. for his 
marriage with the Princess Mary, eldest daughter 
of James Duke of York, in which negociation he 
was happily successful. 

On the said Duke’s accession to the throne, by 
the name of James II. Feb. 6, 1684-5, His Majesty, 
being apprehensive of the designs of the Duke of 
Monmouth, then in Holland, he ordered his envoy 


* Wood's Fasti Oxon. |». 856, 857, 


18 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


Skelton to get him secured by the States, and 
sent prisoner into England. On His Highness 
the Prince of Orange, hesitating Jo adopt that 
severe course, he gave the Duke notice of it, and 
instructed Mr. Bentinck to go privately to Brussels 
to supply him with money; and to assure his 
Grace, if he would make the campaign in Hun¬ 
gary, he should be maintained with an equipage 
suitable to his quality. But when, on King James’s 
solicitation, his Grace was obliged to leave Brus¬ 
sels, and thereupon had landed in England, His 
Highness sent Mr. Bentinck to King James, to 
offer him the assistance both of his troops and 
person against the rebels; but, through a miscon¬ 
struction put on his message, he was coldly 
received; the King telling him, “ He should 
acquaint the Prince, that their common interest 
required his staying in Holland.” 

In 1688, when the Prince of Orange had thoughts 
of an expedition into England, he sent Mr. Ben¬ 
tinck, on the Elector of Brandenburgh’s death, on 
an Embassy to Frederick the new Elector (who, 
in January, 1701, assumed the title of King of 
Prussia) to lay before him the state of affairs, and 
to know how much he might depend upon his 
assistance; and he w r as so successful in his nego- 
ciation, that he carried to his master a satisfactory 
answer to all that was asked of him. He had a 
great share in that signal revolution whereon our 
present settlement is founded; in which difficult 
and important transaction, he shewed all the pru¬ 
dence, dexterity and sagacity, of a consummate 
and able statesman. He was the person the most 
entirely trusted , and constantly employed by the 
Prince* in the necessary orders for the expedi¬ 
tion, which was managed by him with the greatest 
secrecy; and executed in an incredibly short 

* Burnet's History of his own Time, vol. ii. p. 19. 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


19 

time; a transport fleet of 500 vessels, having been 
hired in three days. His Highness embarked in a 
frigate of 30 guns, and Mr. Bentinck with him. 
When King James’s army was broken and dis¬ 
banded, and the King had dispatched the Earl of 
Feversham with a message to the Prince at Wind¬ 
sor, Mr. Bentinck was ordered by His Highness 
to arrest and secure him, for his disbanding the 
army without order. Also, by His Highness’s 
commands, he wrote that letter, agreeing to His 
Majesty’s proposal of returning to Rochester, 
whereby King James went over to France, and 
abdicated the realm. 

On the accession of King William III. to the 
throne of these realms, in consideration of his 
faithful services, he was made Groom of the Stole, 
first Lord of the Bedchamber, and sworn of his 
Privy-Council on Feb. 13, 1688-9, the day he was 
proclaimed. And tw r o days before the coronation, 
was created Baron Cirencester , Viscount Wood- 
stock, and Earl of Portland, by letters patent, 
dated April 9, 1689. 

His Lordship had the command of the Dutch 
Regiment of Horse Guards that came with the 
King to England; and, on His Majesty’s going to 
Ireland, they were embarked at Highlake, and 
sailed thence to that kingdom, in June, 1690, and 
performed very gallantly at the battle of the Boyne, 
July 1st, wdiere the Earl of Portland commanded 
as Lieutenant-General; and had a principal share 
in obtaining the victory; General Douglas pur¬ 
suing his advice of intermixing the horse and foot 
for their security. On August 8th following, his 
Lordship had the command of those forces * which 
attacked the Irish that had entrenched themselves 
in the defiles before Limerick, and, routing them, 
made way for investing the place; he also attended 


* History of the Royal Campaign in Ireland, p. 22, 23. 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


20 

on His Majesty during that unsuccessful siege, 
and was further serviceable in the reduction of 
Ireland. 

He accompanied His Majesty to Holland, and 
assisted in the conferences of the Congress at the 
Hague in the beginning of 1691. Early in the 
spring of 1692, he again embarked with the King 
for Holland; and after concerting measures for the 
campaign, returned to England for more forces. 
He arrived at Whitehall, May 2, being convoyed 
from the Maese, by five men of war and two fire¬ 
ships, which afterwards joined the fleet in the 
Downs. And soon after, his Lordship set out 
again to rejoin His Majesty; our Gazette an¬ 
nouncing, that 44 the Earl of Portland returned to 
the Camp on Saturday last, having been sent with 
a detachment of 2000 horse, to observe the enemy, 
and returned to the King’s Camp at Genap, July 
7th, after interrupting the French detachments 
marching towards the Rhine.” He was also in 
His Majesty’s Camp at Grammen, Sept. 11, fol¬ 
lowing. He served the campaign of the year 1693, 
in Holland, arriving at the Maese April 2, and 
shared the dangers of the unfortunate battle of 
Landen, July 29, where the King narrowly es¬ 
caped with his life, a musket shot passing through 
his peruke, another through the sleeve of his coat, 
and a third, leaving a small contusion on his side. 
The Earl of Portland was likewise wounded; on 
which occasion the celebrated John Tillotson,* 
Archbishop of Canterbury, wrote him the follow¬ 
ing memorable letter: 

August 1, 1093. 

My Lord, 

44 I cannot forbear on this great occasion to 
congratulate the King’s safety and merciful pre¬ 
servation, from many deaths to which his royal 

* Birch's Life of Abp. Tiilotson, p. 280. 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


21 


person was so eminently exposed in the late bloody 
engagement. I thank God, from my heart, who 
protected him in that day of danger, and likewise 
preserved your Lordship’s life, which had been so 
lately restored. I hope the wound your Lordship 
received is not dangerous, and that it may be 
healed without losing the use of your hand. We 
have got but a very imperfect account of the issue 
of the whole action, and what has happened since, 
having received no letters of a later date than the 
morning after the fight, by reason of contrary 
winds.” 

His Lordship likewise attended the King the 
year following; and his regiment of Horse-Guards 
were shipped in the river Thames, and sailed for 
Flanders, April 14, 1694, where he also made the 
campaign of that year. 

In 1695, he embarked with the King at Graves¬ 
end, May 12th, and was at the famous siege of 
Namur, and, on a general assault ready to be 
made, he was sent with Count Horn, by the Elector 
of Bavaria, to offer honourable terms to Count 
Guiscard the governor, in case he would surrender, 
and spare the lives of so many brave men on both 
sides; but they were to require an answer in half 
an hour. However, the Earl of Portland finding 
the French trifle, did not think it convenient to 
stay so long; and that city surrendered August 
4th, after a month’s siege. 

On his return to England, as a reward for his 
bravery, he had a grant of the Lordships of Den¬ 
bigh, Bromfield, and Yale, with other lands in 
the principality of Wales, which being part of the 
demesnes thereof, the House of Commons, on 
January 22, 1695-6, addressed the King to put 
a stop to the passing that grant. Upon which His 
Majesty, in answer, was pleased thus to express 
himself:— 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


22 

Gentlemen, 

“ I have a kindness for my Lord Portland, 
which he has deserved of me by long and faithful 
services; but I should not have given him these 
lands, if I had imagined the House of Commons 
could have been concerned: I will therefore recall 
the grant, and find some other way of shewing my 
favour to him.” 

And soon after His Majesty conferred on him 
a grant of the Royal House of Theobalds, with 
the demesnes thereunto belonging, in the County 
of Hertford and Middlesex; and also granted to 
him the office of Ranger of the Great and Little 
Parks at Windsor, which was, after his decease, 
conferred on the Duchess of Marlborough. 

In that session of Parliament his Lordship 
shewed a noble spirit and integrity in resisting an 
offer made to him on the following occasion. In 
1695, there was a Report of the House of Com¬ 
mons, that some Members of both Houses had 
been bribed in relation to passing an Act for esta¬ 
blishing the East India Company ; and it appeared 
that 50,000/. were pressed on the Earl of Portland 
to use his interest with the King that it might 
pass,w r hich he absolutely refused, saying, “ lie would 
for ever be their enemy and oppose?', if they per¬ 
sisted in offer mg him the money” 

His Lordship had, on Feb. 14, 1695-6, the first 
information, from Sir Thomas Prendergrass, of the 
intended assassination of King William ; and, with 
much importunity, prevailed on Plis Majesty not 
to take the diversion of hunting, as he designed; 
whereby the King escaped the danger of that 
horrible conspiracy. 

On Feb. 9, 1696-7, he was elected a Knight 
Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, 
at a Chapter held at Kensington, and installed at 
Windsor on March 25th, following. 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


23 

As he constantly attended King William in all 
the dangers and fatigues of his wars, both in Ire¬ 
land and Flanders, and distinguished himself on 
several occasions, he was made General of the 
Horse in the King’s Camp at Promell, June 6, 
1697. And the same year had the principal ma¬ 
nagement of the peace, which was first agreed 
between him and the Mareschal Boufflers in the 
field, between the two armies, Jan. 30, O. S. 1697, 
and in three other conferences in July following; 
and which was afterwards formally concluded at 
Ryswick, Sept. 11th. Being in January"following 
sent Ambassador extraordinary to France, he filled 
that employment with equal honour to the King, 
the British nation, and himself: the magnificence 
and pomp of his public entry, on Feb. 27th follow¬ 
ing, outshining what had been ever beheld in that 
gaudy court since the Duke of Buckingham’s em¬ 
bassy, when he came to demand Maria Henrietta 
of France in marriage for Charles the First. 

About this time, Burnet mentions, that Keppel 
was received into favour: the Earl of Portland 
observed the progress of this favour with great 
uneasiness ; and they grew to be most implacable 
enemies to each other, so that on occasion of a 
small preference that was given him in prejudice 
of his own post, as Groom of the Stole, he retired 
from the Court in disgust, and resigned all his 
employments. The King used all possible means 
to divert him from this resolution, but without 
success. He consented to serve the King still in 
his affairs, but he would not return to any post 
in the household. And not long after he was 
employed in the new negociation, set on foot for 
the succession to the crown of Spain. 

In January, 169S-9, his Lordship was employed 
by King William in the management of most 
foreign affairs, particularly those which related to 
Scotland. 


24 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


In 1701, he and Lord Jersey were the principal 
persons concerned in negociating the Partition 
Treaty, for which, in conjunction with others of 
the Ministry, they were impeached. But, 44 no 
articles were afterwards framed against the Earl 
of Portland, which was represented to the King as 
an expression of their respect for him.” He was 
therefore acquitted. 

He preserved the esteem and affection of His 
Majesty to his death, being the last noble person 
with that glorious monarch. His Majesty, breath¬ 
ing with great difficulty, asked his physician, 44 if 
this could last long?” To which the Doctor re¬ 
plied, 44 an hour, or an hour and a half; though 
you may be snatched away in the twinkling of an 
eye.” After that, whilst the Doctor was feeling 
his pulse, the King took him by the hand, saying 
44 I do not die yet, hold me fast.” Having taken 
a little of the cordial potion administered unto 
him, he faintly inquired for the Earl of Portland, 
who immediately came to him, and placed his ear 
as near as he could to His Majesty’s mouth; but 
though his lips were seen to move, his Lordship 
was not able to hear any distinct articulate sound; 
and, in a few minutes after, His Majesty, shutting 
his eyes, expired with two or three short gasps* 
March 8, 1701-2. 

After which his Lordship went over to Holland, 
and, May 22, 1707, arrived at the Hague; and the 
year after, the King of Prussia coming from Cleves 
by water to Hounslaerdyk, which was prepared 
for his reception, the Earl of Portland, July 19, 
N. S. 1708, went thither to compliment His Ma¬ 
jesty in the name of the States-General. On the 
close of the same year his Lordship returned to 
England, and betook himself to a retired life, 
living in a most exemplary way; and dying at his 
seat at Bulstrode, in the County of Bucks, No¬ 
vember 23, 1709, in the sixty-first year of his age, 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


25 


and was buried in the vault under the great east 
window of Henry Vllth’s Chapel, Westminster 
Abbey.* 

His Lordship married first, Anne, daughter of 
Sir Edward Vil] liers, Knight Marshal, and sister to 
Edward, Earl of Jersey, at that time Maid of 
Honour to Mary, Princess of Orange, and by her 
had issue three sons, and five daughters, viz.— 

William, who died in his infancy; Henry, second 
son, who succeeded to his father’s titles; and ano¬ 
ther William, who died in Holland. 

Lady Mary, eldest daughter, first married Al¬ 
gernon, Earl of Essex, who leaving her a widow, 
Jan. 10, 1709, she was secondly married in 1714, 
to the Hon. Conyers d’Arcy, afterwards, K. B. and 
only brother to Robert, Earl of Holdernesse; she 
died Aug. 20, 1726. 

Lady Anne Margaretta, second daughter, mar¬ 
ried Monsieur Duyvenvorde, one of the principal 
nobles in Holland. Lady Frances Williamyna, 
third daughter, married William, Lord Byron, and 
died March 31, 1712. Lady Eleanora, fourth 
daughter, died unmarried. Lady Isabella, youngest 
daughter, married, Aug. 2, 1714, Evelyn Pierre- 
point, Duke of Kingston, and died Feb. 23,1727-8. 

His Lordship, on May 16, 1700, married, se¬ 
condly, Jane, sixth daughter of Sir John Temple, 
of East Sheen, in the County of Surrey, Bart., 
sister to Henry, Lord Viscount Palmerston, and 
widow of John, Lord Berkeley of Stratton, and 
by her (who was, on April 12, 1718, appointed 
governess to the three Princesses, eldest daughters 
of his late Majesty, and died March 26, 1751,) 
had two sons, and four daughters; William, who 
died Oct. 13, 1774; and Charles John, Count 
Bentinck, who died March 18, 1779, aged 71; 
Lady Sophia, married, March 24, 1728-9, to his 
Grace Henry de Grey, Duke of Kent; who, by 

* Dart's History of St. Peter’s, Westminster, vol. ii. p. 55. 

C 


26 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


her, had a daughter, Lady Sophia, married to her 
cousin, John Egerton, Bishop of Durham ; Lady 
Elizabeth, married, Dec. 18, 1720, to Dr. Henry 
Egerton, Bishop of Hereford, brother to his Grace, 
Scroop, Duke of Bridgewater : she died Nov. 8, 
1765, and was buried at Bruton, in Somersetshire; 
and was grandmother, by him, to the present Earl 
of Bridgewater ; Lady Harriot, married at the 
Hague, Oct. 15, 1728, to James Hamilton, Vis¬ 
count Limerick, of the kingdom of Ireland; Lady 
Barbara, who married Francis Godolphin, Esq., 
afterwards Lord Godolphin; and died April 15, 
1736. 

Henry, second Earl, and first Duke of Port¬ 
land, married June 9, 1704, the Lady Elizabeth 
Noel, eldest daughter and co-heir of Wriothesley 
Baptist, Earl of Gainsborough,* with whom 
he had, among other possessions, the moiety of 
the Lordship of Tichfield in the county of South¬ 
ampton, as well as of the said mansion-house.f 
And at this seat the Earl of Portland resided whilst 
he was a commoner ; and by his affability and 
hospitality gained the love and esteem of all about 
him. He was elected one of the members of the 
town of Southampton, in the parliament which 
sat first on business, Oct. 23, 1707 ; and in the 
succeeding parliament, which sat November 18, 
1708, was returned one of the knights of the shire 
for the county, as also for the town of South¬ 
ampton. On July 21, 1710, he was constituted 
captain and colonel of the first troop of Horse- 
Guards, which the Earl of Albemarle resigned to 
him on a valuable consideration. He was created 
Marquis of Tichfield , in com. of Southampton, 

* Son of Edward, first Earl of Gainsborough, by Lady Eliza¬ 
beth, eldest daughter and co-heir of Thomas Wriothesley, fourth 
and last Earl of Southampton, and Lord High Treasurer of 
England. 

f Formerly the seat of the Wriothesley’s, Earls of South¬ 
ampton. 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


27 

and Duke of Portland, by letters patent, dated 
July 6, 1716, 2 Geo. I. and appointed one of the 
Lords of the Bedchamber. On Sept. 9, 1721, he 
was appointed Captain-General and Governor of 
the Island of Jamaica;* and arriving at Spanish 
Town in that island, Dec. 22, 1722, remained there 
to the time of his decease, at St. Jago de la Vega, 
July 4, 1726, in the forty-fifth year of his age. 
He was generally beloved, being of a most noble 
and generous temper, and of so sweet a dispo¬ 
sition, that he made all easy about him. His 
remains were brought over to England by his 
disconsolate widow, and deposited at Tichfield, 
where she herself was interred, March 1736-7. 

They had issue three sons and seven daughters, 
whereof two sons and three daughters survived 
them, viz. William, who succeeded to the titles ; 
and Lord G. Bentinck, fwho was born Dec. 24, 
1715, and baptized Jan. 23 following, His Majesty 
King George I. standing godfather in person ; 
appointed captain of a company of the first regi¬ 
ment of foot-guards, on April 17, 1743; being 
on June 27, N.S. that year, in the battle of Det- 
tingen; on March 7, 1752, appointed one of his 
Majesty’s aid-de-camps, and to take rank as 
colonel of foot; constituted colonel of a regiment 
of foot in 1754, and died at Bath, without issue, 
March 2, 1759, being then a major-general and 
M.P. for Malmsbury in Wilts. 

Their three daughters were, Lady Anne, who 
was married to Lieutenant-Colonel Daniel Paid, 
who died Jan. 1748-9, and her Ladyship dying 
July 4, 1749, was buried by him in Dublin. Lady 
Anne Isabella, married Nov. 8, 1739, to Henry 
Monk, Esq. of the kingdom of Ireland, by whom 
she had the Marchioness of Waterford, mother of 
the present Marquis; she died 1783. And Lady 


He was much injured in his fortune, by the South Sea Bubble 


28 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


Emilia Catherine, who was born at St. Jago de 
la Vega, in Jamaica, April 5, 1726, married at 
Christmas, 1747, to Mr. Jacob Arrant Van Was- 
senar, of the province of Holland (elected into 
the body of the nobles of that province, Feb. 18, 
1755), and died Jan. 10, 1756. 

William, Second Duke of Portland, who 
succeeded his father Henry, was born March 1, 
1708-9; after three years travels in France and 
Italy, returned to England in 1733. In Feb. 1735 
his Grace was appointed a Lord of the Bedchamber 
to His Majesty. His Grace was man ’ 1 ' 



le-bone (commonly called Oxford) 


11, 1734, to the Lady Margaret Cavendish Harley, 
only daughter and heiress of Edward, second Earl 
of Oxford, and Earl Mortimer, by his wife the 
Lady Henrietta Cavendish, only daughter and 
heiress of John Holies, Duke of iSTewcastle, by the 
daughter and heiress of Henry Cavendish, Duke 
of Newcastle.* Their Graces had issue, Lady 
Elizabeth Cavendish Bentinck, married May 22, 
1759, to Thomas, Viscount Weymouth, afterwards 
Marquis of Bath. 

Lady Henrietta Cavendish Bentinck, who was 
one of the supporters of Queen Charlotte’s train 
at her nuptials on Sept. 8, 1761, and on May 28, 
1763, married George Henry, Earl of Stamford. 

William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, who suc¬ 
ceeded his father in the Dukedom. 


Ladv Margaret Cavendish Bentinck, who died 
on April 23, 1756. 

Lady Frances Cavendish Bentinck, who died an 
infant, Feb. 28, 1742-3. 

And Lord Edward Charles Cavendish Bentinck, 
born on March 3, 1744, married Dec. 23, 1782, at 


* Son of the celebrated and loyal William Cavendish, Duke of 
Newcastle, whose seat at Welbeck, with his large estates in Not¬ 
tinghamshire, Derbyshire, and in the North, &c. have thus 
descended to the Duke of Portland. 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


29 


Mavy-le-bone, to Miss Cumberland, eldest daughter 
of Richard Cumberland, Esq. by whom he has 
several children. His eldest son is in holy orders ; 
and is a dignitary of the church, Prebendary of 
Westminster, &c. His daughter, Henrietta, mar¬ 
ried May 8, 1809, Sir William Mordaunt Milner, 
Bart. He was many years M. P. for Nottingham¬ 
shire. 

At a Chapter of the most noble Order of the 
Garter, held at St. James’s, March 20, 1740-1, his 
Grace was first Knighted by his Majesty, and imme¬ 
diately after was invested with the ensigns of that 
noble order, and was installed at Windsor, April 
21, 1741. His Grace was also Fellow of the Royal 
Society, and President of the British Lying-in 
Hospital for Married Women, in Brownlow Street, 
Long Acre, London; one of the Trustees of the 
British Museum, and, departing this life on May 
1, 1762, was buried at Tichfield. The Duchess 
survived till July 7, 1785. She inherited the 
spirit of her ancestors in her patronage of literature 
and the arts. 

William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, Third 
Duke of Portland, was born, April 14, 1738; 
and at the general election in 1761, was returned 
one of the Members for Weobly, in Herefordshire. 

His Grace was sent, Lord Lieutenant, to 
Ireland in the Marquis of Rockingham’s admi¬ 
nistration, April 8, 1782; which, as the Marquis 
died soon after, his Grace only held till September 
15, following. When the coalition took place 
between Mr. Fox and Lord North, which drove the 
Marquis’s successor, Lord Lansdown, from the helm, 
his Grace was, on April 5, 1783, appointed First 
Lord of the Treasury. This also he resigned Dec. 
27, following, when William Pitt became Premier. 
Hence he united in firm phalanx with the com¬ 
panions of his retreat; and, with Fox, Burke, 
Sheridan, Windham, and many others, formed the 


30 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


most powerful Whig opposition, for many years, 
to the young, eloquent, powerful, and undaunted 
Minister, till the alarm of the French Revolution 
dissolved this mighty combination; and the Duke, 
a convert to the master mind of Burke, felt the 
necessity of strengthening the hands of government, 
and on July 11, 1794, was appointed Principal 
Secretary of State for the Home Department. The 
seals of this office he held till July 30, 1801, when 
Mr. Pitt having retired, his Grace was nominated 
President of the Council in the new Admi¬ 
nistration of Addington; and so continued till the 
dissolution of that ministry. 

When Lord Grenville’s ministry ceased, his 
Grace was once more appointed First Lord of the 
Treasury, in the spring of 1807; and held that 
high office till his death, which happened Oct. 30, 
1809, at the age of 71. 

His Grace was of easy manners, and mild and 
amiable disposition; not insensible of his rank, yet 
unassuming in the use of it; it is not improbable 
that his love of ease, and tendency towards indo¬ 
lence, made him sometimes too ductile, and the 
dupe of those, by whom the rectitude of his under¬ 
standing would not yet suffer him to be deceived. 
In this respect, he was, perhaps, not unlike his 
brother-in-law and relation, the Duke of Devon¬ 
shire. 

As a statesman, his high rank and princely 
estates, his long familiarity with public affairs, the 
plainness of his understanding, and his constitu¬ 
tional principles, gave him many important quali¬ 
fications for the high offices which he held. It 
would be idle flattery to assert that he possessed 
the vigour and brilliancy of genius, or even of 
eminent talents; but on his public conduct his 
country may look with approbation; and his pos¬ 
terity may feel a just pride that he so discharged 
the high duties he undertook for his country, that 


NOBLE FAMILIES. 


31 


his name will stand honourably on her annals, 
while many of his contemporaries of equal rank 
and advantages will sink into the oblivion which 
is the price of a selfish privacy. 

His Grace was married Nov. 8, 1766, to Lady 
Dorothy Cavendish, daughter of William, the late 
Duke of Devonshire, and by her, who died June 
3, 1794, he had issue:— 

First, William Henry Cavendish, Marquis of 
Tichfield, born June 24, 1768, who, for several 
years represented the County of Buckingham in 
Parliament. 

Second, Lord William Henry Cavendish, born 
Sept. 14, 1774, late Governor of Madras, and a 
Major-General in the army; 

Third, Lady Charlotte, born Oct. 3, 1775, mar¬ 
ried March 31, 1793, Charles Greville, Esq. son 
of Fulk Greville, Esq. of Wilbery in Wiltshire, 
and has issue. 

Fourth, Lady Mary, born March 17, 1778. 

Fifth, Lord Charles, a Lieutenant-Colonel in 
the army, and Captain in the first regiment of 
Foot Guards. 

William Henry Cavendish Scott, Fourth and 
present Duke of Portland, who is Lord Lieutenant 
of the County of Middlesex. His Grace having 
been married Aug. 4, 1795, to Henrietta Scott, 
daughter of the late General Scott, by His Majesty’s 
permission obtained in September of the same year, 
added the name of Scott to that of Bentinck, and 
annexed the arms of Scott to his own. His issue 
are :— 

First, William Henry, Marquis of Tichfield, 
born Oct. 22, 1796. 

Second, Lady Caroline, born July 6, 1799. 

Third, Lord John, born Sept. 18, 1800. 

Fourth, Lady Henrietta. Fifth, Lord George. 
Sixth, Lord Henry. Seventh, Lady Charlotte. 
Eighth, Lady Lucy. Ninth, Lady Mary. 


32 


THE MANOR HOUSE. 


Titles. William Henry Cavendish Scott Ben- 
tinck, Duke of Portland, Marquis of Tichfield, Earl 
of Portland, Viscount Woodstock, and Baron of 
Cirencester. 

Creations. Baron of Cirencester, in the County 
of Gloucester, Viscount Woodstock, in Oxford¬ 
shire, and Earl of Portland in the County of Dorset, 
April 9, 1689, 1 Will, and Mary; and Marquis 
of Tichfield, and Duke of Portland, July 6, 1716, 
2 Geo. I.* 


The Old Manor House. 

This Mansion, attached to the Royal Park of 
Mary-le-bone, was originally built in the Reign of 
Henry VIII. and occasionally used as one of the 
palaces during the reigns of Mary and Elizabeth.f 
From a drawing of Rooker’s (in the possession of 
Mr. White the present District Surveyor) it seems 
to have retained some traces of the architecture of 
Queen Elizabeth’s time, but the greater part appears 
to have been rebuilt, or at least sustained con¬ 
siderable alteration, at a later period, perhaps by 
the Forsets (to whom it went by grant from 
Elizabeth): the South front, which had a fine bow 
window, was certainly added or renewed at the 
commencement of the last century. A considerable 
school was established here by Mr. De la Place 
about 1703, whose daughter marrying the Rev. John 
Fountayne, Rector of North Tidmouth in Wilt¬ 
shire, he was succeeded by him in the school. This 
school appears to have been in great repute, many 

* Collins’s Biog. Peerage, augmented by Sir Egerton Brydges. 
t In Peck’s Desiderata Curiosa, vol. i. p. 68, is a Listof Salaries 
paid in Queen Elizabeth’s time to the Keepers, &c.of all the Royal 
Palaces and Castles. At Mary-le-hone they were as follows :— 

£. s. d. 

Keeper for Maribone Park : fee . . . 12 13 4 

Keeper of the House, Covent-Garden, and theWoodes, 

at Maribone . . . . . . 10 0 0 

Lieutenant of the Chase at Maribone . . 10 0 0 









£ 

I 




V* • 

* 


k 

* 



ik> 


.* 

s» 

s 

k 

** 

«o 



$ 


U 

c r> 

D 

O 

X 

cn 

O 

z 

< 

5 

u 

z 

o 

CO 

u 


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o: 

< 

s 


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o 


$ 







*s> 

£ 






«5> 

* 

Xi 

Ki 

§ 



§ 

•a 



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THE MANOR HOUSE. 


33 


Noblemen and Gentlemen now living, having been 
educated there previously to their removal to the 
Universities. This fine and interesting mansion, 
which stood at the top of High Street, nearly 
opposite the old church, was taken down in 1791, 
and some livery stables were built on its site; over 
the western entrance to these stables was placed a 
clock, which had originally occupied a prominent 
situation in the old mansion, biit which has been 
removed within these few years. It does not 
appear that the Earls of Oxford ever inhabited 
this mansion ; but their noble Library of Books 
and Manuscripts were deposited in a house built 
for that purpose in High Street, about 120 yards 
south of the above mansion. Since the removal 
of that Library to the British Museum, this house 
has been nearly rebuilt, with a modern front, and 
occupied as a boarding school for young Ladies called 
Oxford House, but it is at present unoccupied.* 

At the back of this House was situated that 
celebrated place of amusement, Mary-le-bone Gar¬ 
dens, of which a more particular account will be 
given hereafter. 

The following extracts from a Letter, w r ritten 
by the grandson of the Rev. Mr. Fountayne, and 
which appeared in one of Mr. Hone’s Publications, 
may prove gratifying to the reader; it being evi¬ 
dently written by a gentleman who reverts with 
delight to the scenes of his youthful days 

Sir, —“ A few lines upon the subject of Mary-le- 

* Mr. John Brown, of Clipstone Street, an eminent builder and 
most respectable man, was employed by the Duke of Portland in 
repairing this house, and likewise in the demolition of the Manor- 
House, the rang'e of stabling erected on its site, forming part 
of the extensive property of which he died possessed. This gen¬ 
tleman, who was extensively engaged in the new buildings, 
which rose like exhalations about that period *, resided in this 
parish upwards of 50 years, and dying at the advanced age of 
80, sincerely lamented by all who knew him, was interred in th$ 
Cemetery on the North side of Paddington Street. 


34 


THE MANOR HOUSE. 


bone may not be unacceptable. My grandfather, 
a Rector of North Tidmouth, was, I think also 
connected with the old church at the former place; 
at all events he occasionally officiated at that church. 
He rented the fine ancient structure nearly opposite 
thereto, called Mary-le-bone Manor-House, a view 
of which, with the gardens, park, and environs, as 
they appeared in Queen Elizabeth’s reign I have 
in my possession.* The plate is dedicated to the 
44 Noblemen and Gentlemen educated at this Noble 
Mansion;” * * * * * * 

44 Having been at this school from my infancy 
almost, down to about 1790, I have a perfect re¬ 
collection of this fine and interesting house, with 
its beautiful saloon and gallery, in which private 
concerts were held occasionally, and the first in¬ 
strumental performers attended. My grandfather, 
as I have been told, was an enthusiast in music, and 
cultivated, most of all, the friendship of musical 
men, especially of Handel, who visited him often, 
and had a great predilection for his society. This 
leads me to relate an anecdote which I have on the 
best authority. ****** 
44 While Mary-le-bone Gardens were flourishing, 
the enchanting music of Handel, and probably of 
Arne, was often heard from the orchestra there. 
One evening, as my grandfather and Handel were 
walking together and alone, a new piece was 
struck up by the band. 44 Come, Mr. Fountayne,” 
said Handel, 44 let us sit down and listen to this 
piece—I want to know your opinion of it.” Down 
they sat, and after some time the old parson, 
turning to his companion, said, 44 It is not worth 


* This Print taken from a Drawing madeby Gasselin, in 1700, 
was published, Sept 20, 1800, by J. T. Smith, of Great Portlaud 
Street. The Rev. Bryant Burgess, Curate of the Parish, who 
received part of his education at this school, possesses a coloured 
copy of this Print, which, with that politeness and urbanity of 
manners for which he is proverbial, he readily submitted to the 
inspection of the compiler of this volume. 


THE MANOR HOUSE. 


35 


listening to—it’s very poor stuff.” 44 You are 
right, Mr. Fountayne,” said Handel, 44 it is very 
poor stuff—I thought so myself, when I had finished 
it.” The old gentleman being taken by surprise, 
was beginning to apologise, but Handel assured 
him there was no necessity; that the music was 
really bad, having been composed hastily, and his 
time for the production limited; and that the opi¬ 
nion given was as correct as it was honest. 

44 Mary-le-bone was a sweet place in the days 
of my youth, but now, alas! how changed! Our 
only walk beyond the play-ground was 46 Primrose 
Hill,” and Green-berry Hill,”* across 44 Welling’s 
Farm.”f I remember the fine gardens and mul¬ 
berry trees, and seeing Lunardi, or Blanchard, in 
his balloon high over them. I remember anecdotes 
of Dr. Arne, and many eminent men; and especially 
of those wonderful men, Samuel and Charles W esley, 
who, when children, were stars of the first magnitude 
in the musical world, and lived at or near Mary-le- 
bone. But time and space fail me.” 

Your’s, &c. 

J, H. 


Account of the Duke of Portland's Estate , taken 
from a 'plan made by Henry Pratt , in 1708. 

Barrow Hills. 




No. of Acres. 


Denominations. 

Tenant’s Names^. 

A. R. P. 

1 . 

Upper Primrose Hill - 

Mr. Thomas Baker 

9 0 12 

2. 

Primrose Hill - 

Ditto 

12 2 16 

3. 

White House Mead - 

Ditto 

9 0 36 

4. 

White House Field - 

Ditto 

13 0 0 

5. 

Wheat Field - 

Ditto 

19 2 8 


Total - 63 1 3? 


* Barrow-IIill. 


f Willan’s Farm. 




36 


PLAN OF THE PORTLAND ESTATE. 


Marybone. 



Denominations. 


Tenant’s Names. 

A. R. P. 

6. 

A Hay Yard - - 

- 

Mr. Thomas Baker 

0 

0 

16 

7. 

Dove House Park 

- 

Ditto 

5 

3 

30 

8. 

Broom Field - - 

_ 

Ditto 

9 

1 

16 

9. 

Ditto - - - - 


Ditto 

9 

1 

16 

10. 

The Nine Acres - 

- 

Mr. John Steel 

11 

3 

16 

11. 

The Ten Acres 

_ 

Ditto 

9 

1 

8 

12. 

The Clay Pit 
Prescat' - - - 

_ 

Ditto 

11 

3 20 

13. 

_ 

Ditto 

0 

1 

20 

14. 

Mill Hill Field - 

- 

Ditto 

11 

3 

0 

15. Burgess’s Farm, Home 
Field, and Broad Field - 

Ditto 

33 

0 

0 

16. 

Dung Field - - 

_ 

Ditto 

17 

3 

0 

17. 

Part of the same - 

_ 

Ditto 

2 

0 

12 

18. 

The Eight Acres - 

- 

Ditto 

8 

3 

24 

19. 

Park Field - - 

- 

Ditto 

12 

1 

8 

20. 

The Fourteen Acres 

- 

Mr. James Long 

16 

1 

16 

21, 

22. Bowling Greens,&c. Ditto 

6 

3 

16 

23. 

A Garden - - - 

- 

Ditto 

0 

0 

16 

24. 

Turner’s Field- - 

- 

Mr. Nowell 

7 

2 

12 

25. 

A House and Garden 

- 

Mr. Canningham 

0 

0 

32 

26, 

27. Ditto ditto 

- 

Mr* Thos. Barjour 

0 

3 

8 

28, 

29. Ditto ditto 

- 

Samuel Mitcheau 

1 

2 

24 


30, 31. Part of the Manor 

House Garden - - - Mr. Jas. Sentiman 0 2 16 


32. Ditto ----- Mr. Peter Lettuce 0216 

33, 34. A House & Garden, Mr. Allen 0 1 24 

35. Four tenements, Gar¬ 
dens, &c. - - - - Mr. Card 1 1 20 

36. Church Field - - - Anthony Knight 110 0 

37. Lower Church Field - Ditto 9 2 20 

38. A House and Garden - Ditto 0 1 8 

39. Ditto ditto - - - Thos. Mansellin 1 0 36 

40. Ditto ditto - - - Mr. Hargrave 0 0 28 

41. Ditto ditto - - - Mr. Hemmett 0 0 20 

42. Ditto ditto - - - Thomas Bradgate 0 0 28 

43,44. Bowling Green, with 

Houses, Gardens, &c. - Mr. Whitfield 0 3 36 


203 0 2 





MANOR OF LILESTONE. 


37 


Manor of Lilestone, 

(commonly called Lisson Green.) 

The Manor of Lilestone, containing five hides 
(now Lisson Green, in the Parish of Mary-le- 
bone), is mentioned in Domesday-Book among 
the lands in Ossulston Hundred given in alms: 
it is said to have been, in King Edward’s time, the 
property of Edward, son of Swain, a servant of 
the King, who might alienate it at pleasure; when 
the survey was taken, it belonged to Eideva. The 
land, says the record, is three carucates. In 
demesne are four hides and a-half, on which are 
two ploughs, the villans have one plough. There 
are four villans, each holding half a virgate, three 
cottars of two acres and one slave ; meadow equal 
to one plough-land; pasture for the cattle of the 
village; woods for 100 hogs; and 3 d. arising 
from the herbage; valued in the whole at 60s.; in 
King Edward’s time, at 40s. This manor after¬ 
wards became the property of the Priory of St. 
John of Jerusalem;* on the suppression of which 


* Jordan Briset and Muriel his wife, persons of rank, founded 
this house in the year 1100, and it received consecration from 
Heraclius, patriarch of Jerusalem. This Order, at first styled 
itself, servant to the poor servants of the Hospital at Jerusalem; 
hut their vast endowments infected them with an uncommon degree 
of pride. The whole Order had, in different parts of Christendom , 
nineteen thousand manors. In 1323, the revenues of the English 
Knights Templars were bestowed on them. This gave them such 
importance, that the Prior was ranked as first Baron of England, 
and lived in the highest state. Their luxury gave offence to the 
rebels of Kent and~Essex in 1381. These levellers burnt their 
house to the ground ; but it soon rose with redoubled splendour. 
The first Prior was Garnerius de Napoli; the last, Sir William 
Weston, who, on the suppression by Henry VIII. had a pension of 
a thousand pounds a year; but died of a broken heart on Ascen¬ 
sion Day, 1540; the very day that the House was suppressed. 
His monument is preserved by a drawing in the possession of Dr. 
Combe. Its revenue at that time according to Dugdule , was 
2385^. 12^. 8 d. — Pennant . 


38 


MANOR OF LILESTONE. 


it was granted, anno 1548, to Thomas Heneage 
and Lord Willoughby; who conveyed it in the 
same year, to Edward Duke of Somerset. On his 
attainder it reverted to the Crown, and was granted 
anno 1564, to Edward Downing, who conveyed it 
the same year to John Milner, Esq., then lessee 
under the Crown. After the death of his descen¬ 
dant John Milner, Esq., anno 1753, it passed 
under his will to William Lloyd, Esq.* The Manor 
of Lisson Green (being then the property of Capt. 
Lloyd of the Guards), was sold in lots, anno 1792. 
The largest lot, containing the site of the manor, 
was purchased by John Harcourt, Esq., M. P. who 
built a noble mansion, for his own residence, at 
the corner of Harcourt Street and the New Road; 
part of the Harcourt estate was subsequently sold 
by auction in separate lots, and the mansion above- 
mentioned, is now occupied by that excellent Insti¬ 
tution, the Queen’s Lying-In Hospital, which 
was instituted in 1752, removed from St. George’s 
Row to Bayswater, in 1791, and established here 
in 1810. This charity was originally under the 
especial patronage of Her late Majesty Queen 
Charlotte, and is now honoured with the patronage 
of Her present most gracious Majesty, 


The Portman Estate. 

This Estate was granted by Sir Thomas Docw ra, 
Prior of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, in 
England, in the fourth year of Henry VIII., to 
John Blenerhasset and Johan his wife, for fifty 
years by the following description, viz. Great Gib- 
betfield, Little Gibbetfield, Hawkfield, and Brock- 

* The account of this Manor till it came into the family of 
Lloyd, is taken from Lysons’ Environs, and was obligingly com¬ 
municated to him by William Bray, Esq. of Great liussell Street, 
from original Deeds. 


ANCIENT FAMILIES. 


30 


stand, Tassel Croft, Boy’s Croft, and twenty acres 
Fursecroft, and two closes called Shepcott Haws, 
parcel of the Manor of Lileston in the County of 
Middlesex, late in the tenure of Thomas Hobson, 
under the annual rent of eight pounds, payable at 
their house in Clerkenwell. 

In the 24tli of Henry VIII. the executor of the 
said John Blenerhasset. granted the remainder of 
this term to William Portman and his assigns. 

Queen Mary, by letters, patent, dated the 11th 
of June, the first year of her reign, granted the 
reversion of the premises in fee, to William Morgan 
and Jerome Hulley, their heirs and assigns, for 
ever; who conveyed the same to Sir William 
Portman, Lord Chief Justice, and Henry his son, 
their heirs and assigns. 

From which time this estate, which contains 
about 270 acres, has continued in the Portman 
family. 


Portman Family. 

The Portmans appear to have been a family of 
note in the County of Somerset in the reign of 
Edward I. at which time lived Thomas Portman, 
whose grandfather bore the present arms of Portman, 
on a field Or, fleur-de-lis Azure. His lineal 
descendant, William Portman, appears to have 
been settled at or near Taunton 8 Hen. IV. and 
gave lands to the priory of that place (where he 
was buried) to pray for his soul. The son of 
William was Walter, who married the heiress of 
Orchard, in whose right he acquired a very large 
property in Somersetshire, and added the name of 
Portman to the family seat of Orchard, at which 
place his descendants from that time resided. 

His great grandson, Sir William Portman, Knt. 
was serjeant at law to Henry VIII. one of the 
Justices of the Common Pleas, and afterwards Lord 


ANCIENT FAMILIES. 


40 

Chief Justice of England; in which situation he 
distinguished himself by displaying a degree of 
integrity and independence very unusual among 
the Judges in those despotic times. He died in 
the year 1555, 3 Philip and Mary, and was buried 
in St. Dunstan’s church, London, where a monument 
was erected to his memory. 

John Portman, his grandson, was created a 
Baronet 25th Nov. 1612. He married Anne, 
daughter of Sir Henry Gilford, Kt. of Hants, and 
left issue four sons, viz. Sir Henry Portman, Kt. 
and Bart, who married Anne, only daughter of 
William Earl of Derby, and died without issue, 
1621; Sir John and Sir Hugh, who both died 
unmarried; Sir William, the purchaser of the 
manor of Bryanston, in the county of Dorset (who 
married Anne, daughter and coheir of John Collis, 
of Borton in Somersetshire, Esq. by his wife Eliza¬ 
beth, daughter and sole heir of Humphrey Wivilis- 
combe, Esq.); and four daughters, viz. Joanne, 
who married George Speke, of Whitelackington, 
Esq.; Anne, married to Sir Edward Seymour of 
Bury Pomeroy Castle, county of Devon, Bart, 
ancestor of the present Duke of Somerset; Eliza¬ 
beth, married to John Bluett of Holcombe, in 
Devonshire, Esq.; and Grace, who died unmarried. 

Sir William Portman, Bart, son of Sir William, 
was created Knight of the Bath by King Charles II. 
He married three wives, 1st. Elizabeth, daughter 
and heiress of Sir John Cutler, Bart.; 2dly. Eliza¬ 
beth, daughter of Sir John Southcote, Knight; 
3dly. Mary, daughter and heiress of Sir John 
Holman, Bart, but having no issue by either of 
them the title became extinct. By a release dated 
Feb. 26, 1689, he devised Orchard Portman, 
together w ith other estates to a great amount, to 
his cousin Henry Seymour, Esq. (fifth son of Sir 
Edward Seymour above-mentioned), who assumed 
the name and arms of Portman. He married, 1st. 


THE PORTMAN FAMILY. 


41 

Penelope, daughter of Sir William Haslewood of 
Maidwell, in Northamptonshire; 2ndly. Meliora, 
daughter of William Fitch, Esq. of High-Hall in 
this county, but dying without issue, the whole of 
his large property devolved, by a further limitation 
in the will of Sir William Portman, to William 
Berkeley, Esq. of Pylle, in the county of Somerset, 
who, by an Act of Parliament, 9 Geo. II. was 
enabled to take the name, and bear the arms of 
Portman. 

The family of Berkeley took their name from the 
castle of Berkeley* in Gloucestershire, which, at 
the time of the Conquest, was possessed by Roger, 
a Saxon nobleman, who, following the custom intro¬ 
duced by the Normans, assumed the name of 
Berkeley; but becoming a Monk in the priory of 
Stanley St. Leonard in 1091, it devolved to his 
nephew William de Berkeley, whose grandson Roger, 
Lord of Berkeley and Dursley, having taken part 
with King Stephen against the Empress Maud, was 
dispossessed of his barony and lands in favour of 
Sir Robert Fitzharding, from wdiom the families of 
Berkeley are lineally descended. 

The family of Berkeley is descended from the 
blood-royal of Denmark by Harding their first ances¬ 
tor ; from the Dukes of Normandy by Eva, wife of 
Robert Fitzharding ; from the ancient Saxons by 
Alice, daughter of the Lord Berkeley of Dursley; 
and from the Kings of England by Isabel, daughter 
of Edmond Earl of Cornwall. 

Sir Edward Berkeley, uncle of Sir John, and 
third son of Sir Henry (from whom descended the 
only surviving branch of the Berkeleys of Bruton), 
married Margaret, daughter of John Holland, Esq., 
whose ancestor Thomas Holland, Earl of Kent, 
married Joan the Fair, grand-daughter of Edward 

* This name is derived from two Saxon words, Berk, a Birch- 
tree (with which that part of Gloucestershire abounds), and Ley t 
a pasture. 


42 


THE PORTMAN FAMILY. 


the First, and afterwards wife of Edward the Black 
Prince. He was knighted in the first year of the 
reign of Charles I. 1625. He built the mansion 
house of Pylle in Somersetshire, where he resided 
and possessed considerable property. He died in 

His son, Edward Berkeley of Pylle, married 
Philippa, daughter of George Speke of White 
Lackington, Esq. and died in 1669, leaving issue 
Edward, who married Elizabeth daughter of John 
Ryves, Esq. of Ranston in this county, by whom he 
had two sons, Maurice and William. Maurice 
commanded a regiment of the Somerset militia at 
the battle of King’s Sedgmoor, when the Duke of 
Monmouth was defeated. He died without issue in 
1717, and devised his estates to his brother, William 
Berkeley of Pylle, Esq., who succeeded afterwards 
to the fortune, and took the name of Portman as 
before-mentioned. He resided alternately at his 
three seats of Orchard Portman, Pylle (at which 
he died in 1737), and Brianston. On the 8th of 
January, 1708, he married Anne, only daughter of 
Sir Edward Seymour of Bury Pomeroy, Bart, by 
whom he had issue, Henry William Berkeley Port- 
man, who inherited the Portman property; Edward 
Berkeley, who took the Berkeley estates, and mar¬ 
ried Anne, daughter of Thomas Ryves Esq. of Rans¬ 
ton (by whom he had issue two daughters); and 
Lsetitia (who held the Berkeley estates for her life, 
after the death of her brother Edward), married to 
Sir John Burland, of Steyning in the county of 
Somerset, one of the Barons of the Exchequer, by 
whom he had one son, John Berkeley Burland. 

Sir Edward Seymour, their maternal ancestor, 
was Speaker of the House of Commons, and Comp¬ 
troller of the Household to Queen Anne, and was 
one of the principal instruments of the Revolution. 
He was the eldest male descendant of Edward 
Seymour, the first Duke of Somerset (Lord Pro- 


ANCIENT FAMILIES. 


43 


tector of England, and uncle to Edward VI.) whose 
honours being settled on the issue of his second 
wife, continued in that branch of the family until 
the year 1749, when by the death of Algernon, 
Duke of Somerset, without issue male, the titles of 
Duke pf Somerset, and Baron Seymour, devolved by 
virtue of the remainder in the original patent, on Sir 
Edward, whose grandson now enjoys them. 

The above Sir Edward Seymour, married for 
his second wife, Laetitia, daughter of Alexander 
Popham, Esq. by whom he had issue a daughter, 
and Francis, created Baron Conway by Queen Anne 
in 1702, father of the late Marquis of Hertford. 

Henry William, eldest son of William Berkeley 
Portman, Esq. married Anne, daughter of William 
Fitch, Esq. of High Flail, in Dorsetshire. He died 
and was buried at Bryanston in 1761, aged 52. 

He was succeeded by his only son Henry William 
Portman, Esq. born 1738, who inherited the Port- 
man estates from his father, and succeeded to the 
Berkeley property on the death of his aunt, Lady 
Burland. He married Anne, daughter of William 
Wyndham, Esq. of Dinton, in the county of Wilts, 
and died Jan. 16, 1796, leaving issue by this Lady 
two sons, viz. Henry Berkeley Portman, Esq. M. P. 
for the city of Wells, who Hied March 22, 1803, 
without male issue; and Edward Berkeley Portman, 
Esq. second son, who inherited the whole of his 
large estates; he married Lucy, the daughter of 
the Rev. W. Whitby, of Cresswell Hall, Stafford¬ 
shire. By this marriage he had issue now living, 
four sons and three daughters, viz.— 

L Edward Berkeley Portman, Esq. the present 
proprietor of the Portman estates, who mar¬ 
ried, June 16, 1827, the Lady Emma Las- 
celles, third daughter of Henry Lascelles, 
second Earl of Harewood; and has issue 
three children. 

2. Henry William Berkeley Portman, a Cap^ 
tain in the army. 


44 


st. John’s wood estate. 


3. Wyndham Berkeley Portman, Lieut. R. N. 

4. Fitzharding Berkeley Portman. 

5. Lucy Mabella, married to G. D. Wingfield, 

Esq. 

6. Mary Ann, married to G. Drummond, Esq. 

7. Harriet Ella, married to W. Dugdale, Esq. 
He married 2ndly, Mary, daughter of Sir Edward 

Hulse, by whom he had no issue, and died at 
Rome, Jan. 19, 1823. His widow survived him, 
and is now living. 


Abstract of the Title Deed of the St. Jo/m's Wood 
Estate. 

This Estate containing 497a. Sr. 20p., of which 
340a. 1 r. 33 p. are situated in the Parish of St. 
Mary-le-bone, and the remainder in Hampstead, 
w r as granted by Charles II. to Charles Henry Lord 
Wotton, in discharge of 1300/. part of the monies 
due to him in his said Majesty’s Exchequer, &c. 
The said Lord Wotton on Oct. 6, 1682, devised 
this Estate to his Nephew Charles Stanhope, younger 
son of his brother, Philip Earl of Chesterfield. It 
was subsequently purchased in 1732, of Philip 
Dormer, Earl of Chesterfield, by Samuel Eyre, Esq. 
from whom it descended to the present proprietor, 
Henry Samuel Eyre, Esq. eldest son of Walpole 
Eyre, Esq. of Burnham, County of Bucks. 

Account of the Mary-le-bone 'portion of this Estate , 
from a Survey made in 1794. 


No. Quality. A. R. P. 

1 Pasture Houses, Yard, Barn, Gardens, &c. 1 1 13 

2 Ditto Little Hay Field - - - - 7 3 24 

3 Meadow Hanging Field - - - - - 7312 

4 Ditto Spring Field - - - - - 0119 

5 Ditto Dutch Barn Field - - - - 8 114 

6 Ditto The Twenty Acre Field - - 6 3 3 


32 2 5 






THE EYRE FAMILY. 


45 


No. Quality. A. R. P. 

Brought forward - 32 2 5 

7 Meadow Great Hill Field - - - -161 26 

8 Ditto Burton-way - - - - - -183 1 

9 Pasture House, Garden and Lawn - - 1 2 38 

10 Meadow T Little Robin’s Field - - - 7 3 20 

11 Ditto Little Blewhouse Field - - 11 3 6 

12 Arable Seven Acres ----- 72 28 

13 Pasture Middle Field - -- -- 32 39 

14 Meadow Blewhouse Field - - - - 5 3 37 

15 Ditto Great Robin’s Field - - - 10 1 25 

16 Ditto Horn Castle - - - - - - 5218 

17 Ditto Great Garden Field- - - - 30 0 38 

18 Ditto Willow Tree Field - - - -16121 

19 Ditto Great Field - - - - - -23 117 

20 Ditto Brick Field - - - - - -34 135 

21 Pasture Cottage and Garden - - - 0 0 25 

22 Meadow The Slipe - -- -- -406 

23 Pasture House, Barn, Yard, Gardens, 6 3 36 

24 Meadow Barn Field - - - - - -140 4 

25 Ditto Oak tree Field - - - - -16118 

26 Pasture Piece on St. John’s Wood Lane 0 0 19 

27 Meadow Four Acre Field - - - - - 5331 

28 Ditto Six Acre Field - - - - - 6116 

29 Pasture Cottage and Garden - - - - 0 1 37 

30 Meadow The Twenty Acres - - - -25 117 

31 Ditto The Nine Acres -----90 17 

32 Ditto The Twenty-two Acre Field - 23 0 0 

Saint John’s Wood Lane - - 12 13 


Total 340 1 33 


Account of the Family of Henry Samuel 
Eyre, Esq. 

The first notice of its settlement in Wiltshire 
appears in a grant of lands made by Gelfridus le 
Her, of Bromham, to his wife and children, and is 
quoted in the copy of a visitation in 1525: the 
date of this grant must have been about the year 
















46 


THE EYRE FAMILY. 


1100. The name seems evidently to be Norman, 
and although it does not occur in the copy of the 
Battle Abbey Roll, the founder in all probability 
came over at the Conquest. As to its derivation, 
we may hazard a supposition that le Her , /’ Heritiere , 
or “ the Heir” might be a distinction originally 
given to an eldest son, in those days where the 
rights of primogeniture were so much observed, 
and afterwards continued as a family appellation ;— 
and it is worth notice that “ L’Heritiere, is a sur¬ 
name still found in France. Of the connection 
between this family and that of the Eyres of 
Derbyshire, who were settled there before the 
reign of Henry the Third, there are no traces to be 
found, although the name is now similarly spelt* 
and there seems to be no difference in the arms. 
The elder branch, the Eyres of Bromham* were 
living as late as the middle of the 17th Century, 
but it does not appear that any of them still remain. 
John Eyre of Woodhampton and his wife Eleanor 
Cooke, founded a second branch, which was again 
divided into two considerable families, by the two 
marriages of his great grandson John; the issue of 
the first, continued on the family estate, with great 
consideration and respectability, representing their 
native County in Parliament, and many places 
within it, and increasing their fortunes and connec¬ 
tions, by many opulent and honourable marriages ; 
but their lines appear to have both ended in females 
before the period of the Restoration, and it has not 
yet been discovered into what names they carried 
their wealth. From the issue of the second mar¬ 
riage, all the present branches derive their source. 
Their patriarch Robert Eyre, settled at Salisbury, 
as a merchant, and the title deeds of his house 
there, containing the conveyance from Sir Henry 
Long in the 33d of Hen. VIII. are still among the 
papers preserved at Newhouse. He lies buried at 
St. Thomas’s Church, with a long line of descendants. 


THE EYRE FAMILY. 


47 


Two sons of his son, Thomas Eyre, again founded 
two considerable families; from the elder proceed 
in a direct line that of Newhouse, and Henry Samuel 
Eyre, Esq. the present proprietor of the St. John’s 
Wood Estate: from the 2d descend the Eyres of 
Brickworth. Their founder, Giles Eyre, was a 
noted republican in the time of Charles, his house 
at Brickworth was besieged and pillaged, and 
himself fined and imprisoned, but he weathered the 
storm, and saw himself afterwards, with seven 
sons, seated as Members for Wilts, and places 
within it, in all the Parliaments of the Common¬ 
wealth ; he died shortly before the Restoration, and 
his monument sets forth in no very temperate 
language, the long catalogue of his sufferings. 
One of his younger sons, John, went over to Ireland 
with his countryman Ludlow, and there founded 
an Irish branch, which was so considerable as to 
be raised to a peerage in the late reign, but they 
have not been traced beyond the year 1680. Sir 
Giles Eyre the grandson of the first Giles, was one 
of the Judges of the Court of King’s Bench at the 
same period as his second Cousin Sir Samuel Eyre, 
Knt. who died 1699. Some curious correspondence 
between these two eminent lawyers is still in pos¬ 
session of the family. The male line of the Brick¬ 
worth branch is represented by Mr. Eyre of Botley; 
but Henry Samuel Eyre, Esq. eldest son of the late 
Walpole Eyre, of Burnham, in the County of Bucks, 
being the nearest male descendant of the Newhouse 
stock, is the proper representative of the family. 

Lineage. 

Robert Eyre of Sarum, 33d Henry VIII. M. P. 
for New Sarum, 1557, and Mayor, 1559, married 
Joane, widow of George Turney, and had issue, 
by her, an only son Thomas; who married Elizabeth, 

daughter of-Rogers, Esq. of Poole, in the 

County of Dorset, and had issue:—1. Robert, 



48 


THE EYRE FAMILY. 


eldest son, Counsellor at law; 2. Giles, second son, 
who was founder of the Brickworth branch of the 
family; and four other sons and three daughters. 
He died Sept. 10, 1628. Robert, married Anne, 
daughter of John Still, Bishop of Bath and Wells, 
and had issue one son and two daughters. His 
son Robert, married Anne, daughter of Samuel 
Aldersey, Esq. of London, by whom he had issue 
one son and three daughters. He died 1667. His 
son, Sir Samuel Eyre, Knt. of Newhouse, married 
Martha Lucy, third daughter and co-heiress of 
Francis Lucy, Esq. he died in 1669, being at that 
time one of the Judges of the Court of King’s 
Bench. The issue of this marriage, w r as:— 

1. Sir Robert Eyre of Newhouse, Knt. Lord 
Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, who 
died 1735. 

2. Francis. 

3. Henry Samuel Eyre, Merchant of London, 
the purchaser of the St. John’s Wood Estate, who 
died a bachelor. 

4. Kingsmill Eyre, Esq. of Chelsea College, 

who married Elizabeth, daughter of-Atkin¬ 

son, Esq. 

5. Martha Eyre. 

6. Lucy Eyre. 

The issue of Kingsmill Eyre, Esq. were two 
sons, and one daughter, viz:— 

1. Samuel Eyre, Esq. of Newhouse, who married 
Stewart Russell, daughter of John Russell, Esq. 
Consul General at Lisbon, and Envoy to the 
Barbary Powers. He died in 1795. 

2. W alpole Eyre, Esq. of Burnham, in the County 
of Bucks, who married Sarah Johnson. 

3. Elizabeth Eyre, who married Polydore Plumtre, 
Esq. fourth son of John Plumtre, of the County of 
Notts. M. P. for Nottingham. 

The issue of the above Walpole Eyre, Esq. of 
Burnham, is;—1. Henry Samuel Eyre, Esq. the 



THE EYRE FAMILY. 


49 


present proprietor of the estate at St. John’s Wood, 
in the County of Middlesex. 

2. John Thomas Eyre, Esq. who married Harriet 
Margaret Ainslie, and has issue two sons and one 
daughter. 

3. Walpole Eyre, Esq. of Montagu Place, 
Bryanston Square, who married Elizabeth A. John¬ 
son, and has issue, two sons and three daughters, 
viz:— 

1. Henry Samuel Eyre, born 1816. 

2. Frederick Edwin Eyre, born 1817. 

3. Elizabeth Annabella Eyre, born 1820. 

4. Alathea Sarah Henrietta Eyre, born 1822. 

5. Emma Harriet Eyre, born 1824. 

The singular coincidence of the descendants of 
two distinct branches of this family, marrying with 
the immediate descendants of the family of the 
Hero of the Nile, and Trafalgar: have occurred 
in the following manner:— 

Frances Elizabeth Eyre, sole daughter and heiress 
of John Maurice Eyre, Esq. of Langford House, a 
descendant of the Brickworth branch; married 
Thomas Bolton, Esq. only surviving son of Thomas 
Bolton of Burnham, in the County of Norfolk, 
Esq. by Susannah, eldest sister of Horatio, Lord 
Viscount Nelson, K. B. &c. &c. &c. and has issue 
one son, viz. Horatio Bolton, born 1823. 

Harriet Eyre, grand-daughter of Samuel Eyre, 
Esq. of Newhouse, a (distinct branch) married 
George Matcham, Esq. of Hoadlands, in the County 
of Sussex, eldest son of George Matcham Esq. of 
Ashfield, in the same County, by Catherine youngest 
sister of the late Horatio, Admiral Lord Viscount 
Nelson, K. B. &c. &c. &c. The issue of this mar¬ 
riage is also one son, viz. Horatio Nelson Eyre 
Matcham, born 1819. 

D 


50 


PAROCHIAL DIVISIONS. 


Land , the property of Harrow School. 

John Lyon, a wealthy yeoman at Preston, who 
founded Harrow School, left 40 acres of land in 
this Parish, which he had purchased of William 
Sherington, citizen of London; the rents and profits 
of which were directed to be expended in repairing 
the roads from Edgeware and Harrow to London; 
from Gore Lane to Hyde House, and between 
Preston and Deadman’s Hill. He also bequeathed 
a smaller quantity of land at Kilburn to be expended 
for the same purpose. One of these estates (which, 
both together, did not produce 50 years ago, 100/. 
per annum) is now let at about 120/.; the other 
produced about 700/. per annum twenty years ago, 
but it has since been let on building leases at double 
that rent. The rents of these estates are received 
by the trustees of the Harrow road. 


Origin of Parochial Divisions. 


The origin of parochial divisions is justly consi¬ 
dered as one of the most obscure and unsettled 
points of English topography; being too unimpor¬ 
tant to be mentioned in general history, and too 
ancient to be preserved in any episcopal registers. 
Camden tells us England was divided into parishes 
by Honorius, Archbishop of Canterbury, about the 
year 636. Hume says, “ that though parishes had 
been instituted by Honorius, the clergy had never 
been able to get possession of the tithes for more 
than two centuries after, viz. in the reign of Ethel- 
wolf, who having summoned the states of the whole 
kingdom; with their consent, conferred this perpetual 
and important donation on the church. ” That 
ingenious and learned Antiquarian, Mr. Park, in 
his History of Hampstead , p. 203, thus treats this 


PAROCHIAL DIVISIONS. 


51 


subject: “ Those who would carry back the origin 
of parishes in England to a much more distant 
period than they really commenced in point of fact, 
would appear to have confounded the common idea 
conveyed in modern language by the word parish , 
with the totally distinct state of things which existed 
under the ancient diocesan parochice; where a far 
extended district was supplied by an itinerant, not 
a resident ministry; where the endowment, instead 
of being individually appropriated, constituted one 
common fund; and where the mother church, or 
ealdan mynsterre , stood alone, the solitary seat of 
the Episcopalian, whose choir was the rendezvous 
of the dispersed clergy, there resorting to receive 
their instructions, report their progress, divide their 
oblations, and perform the more solemn ceremonials 
of their religion. 

Of such ecclesiastical divisions as these we shall 
probably find traces very soon after the first re¬ 
ception of Christianity in England; but we must 
come down a few steps lower in the scale of time 
to consider the origin of Parishes commonly so 
called. We must behold civilization gradually 
though slowly advancing, and the population of the 
country increased; this, consequently, produces a 
requisition for a more general diffusion of the 
benefits of religious worship, and more permanent 
communication between the priest and his con¬ 
gregation. At what period of time the distribution 
of the original diocese into smaller districts might 
first commence, it is now perhaps impossible to 
say; but we must avoid the erroneous supposition 
that such a division of ecclesiastical jurisdiction 
was produced at once, or with uniformity: it was 
in fact the progressive work of ages; and con¬ 
sequently the only question within the cognizance 
of chronology would be the difficult inquiry,—in 
what instance the diocesan allotment was first 
encroached upon by the foundation of a filial 


52 


PAROCHIAL DIVISIONS. 


church within the limits of the original parochia ? 
But leaving this obscure point to be adjusted by 
more determined students in monkish lore, I must 
observe, that however incompatible the innovation 
may appear with the original constitution of the 
Britannic Church, it was speedily connived at, and 
even encouraged by the Bishops themselves. In 
that early state of things, dislike of innovation, 
and fear of encroachment, were not such predo¬ 
minating principles among the rulers of the church 
as now; and necessity was probably too powerful 
a plea to be stifled by them. As the people began 
to settle in the hitherto uncultivated parts of the 
country, which were of course farther removed 
from the metropolis of the district, their distance 
and alienation from the “ holye mynsterre,” must 
have been severely felt, for here alone they could 
receive the baptismal, nuptial, and sepulchral ordi¬ 
nances, partake of the eucharist, or behold those 
displays of religious splendour, which, rude as 
they then were, captivated the inexperienced senses 
of a generation far off* from refinement. Hence I 
should imagine that churches distinct from the 
ecclesia cathedralis were earliest tolerated in those 
distant situations, which, from the convenience of 
local circumstances, or other accidental attraction, 
had become the resort of concentrated populations, 
forming themselves into towns or burghs. But, 
however, uncertain its beginning, we soon find 
the new system gaining ground, and obliterating 
the primitive constitution in its progress. Re¬ 
ligious service is provided for, not only in towns 
and cities, but manerial lords are invited to erect 
churches upon their own demesnes, and to form 
their tenants and retainers into distinct congrega¬ 
tions. As an incitement to such pious deeds, the 
ordinary in time relinquishes his ancient right of 
patronage, and vests it in the founder; he allows 
him to appropriate the tithes and oblations accruing 


PAROCHIAL DIVISIONS. 


53 

from his own territory (which before went to the 
common stock) for the sole support and service of 
the particular church and its incumbent, empower¬ 
ing him to present his own clerical associate or 
dependent to the benefice, subject only to the 
episcopal examination and superintendence. 

64 It appears obvious, that the appropriating of 
tithes to individual churches must have immediately 
required a notorious and permanent settlement of 
parochial boundaries; for, otherwise, perpetual 
litigation must have ensued. This was simply 
provided for by making the limit of the lord’s 
estate the limit likewise of the priest’s jurisdiction; 
so that each tenant rendered his ecclesiastical dues 
to that church whose patron claimed his temporal 
services. But when (in the words of Bishop 
Kennett) 4 the country grew more populous, and 
persons more devout, several other churches were 
founded within the extent of the former , and then 
a new parochial circuit was allotted, in proportion 
to the nfeW ChlffCh, and the manor or estate of the 
founder of it.’ * Here I confess I see difficulties 
which my acquaintance with ecclesiastical history 
is not sufficiently minute to obviate. If the tithes 
of a large portion of the original parish were to be 
appropriated to the new foundation, how was the 
incumbent of the mother church to be reconciled 
to the loss ? How was he to be compelled to such 
a diminution of his circle of authority? With 
respect to the civil allotment of property there is 
no such difficulty. A barony was easily and fre¬ 
quently severed into lesser fees, and these again 
into subordinate or mesne manors, the lords of 
which might each claim to erect a church, and 
annex their own estate to it as its parish, but how 
they contrived to adjust the distribution of tithes, 
I have yet to learn.” 

The modern method of providing for a more 

* Rennet’s Parochial Antiq. p. 587. 


54 


PAROCHIAL PERAMBULATIONS. 


general diffusion of the benefits of religious worship, 
as exhibited in the various populous parishes adja¬ 
cent to the Metropolis, is, by Act of Parliament, to 
divide the parish into districts, and upon the erec¬ 
tion of a church in the new district, the minister 
appointed is termed a District Rector, who is 
subservient to the head Rector, and pays a stipulated 
sum annually to him, out of the fees arising from 
the Christenings, Marriages, &c. thus providing 
additional accommodation for an increased popula¬ 
tion, without interfering with the ancient boundary, 
or political arrangement of the parish. 


On the Perambulation of the Parish, 
commonly called 44 Walking the Bounds .” 

The Perambulation of the circuits of Parishes 
in Rogation Week, was a very ancient general 
custom,* and one of those retained by the Re¬ 
formed Church; for by an injunction of Q. Eliza¬ 
beth, it is ordered, 44 That the people shall, once 
a year, at the time accustomed, with the curate 
and substantial men of the parish, walk about the 
parishes, as they were accustomed, and at their 

* Armstrong-, in his History of Minorca, 8vo. Lond. 1752, p. 5, 
speaking- of the Terminalia , feasts instituted by the Romans in 
honour of Terminus, the guardian of boundaries and land-marks, 
■whose festival was celebrated at Rome on the 22d or 23d of 
February, every year, when cakes and fruits were offered to the 
God, and sometimes sheep and swine, says, ‘‘He was represented 
under the figure of an old man’s head and trunk to the middle 
without arms, which they erected on a kind of pedestal that 
diminished downwards towards thebase, under which they usually 
buried a quantity of charcoal, as they thought it to be incor¬ 
ruptible in the earth *, and it was criminal by their laws, and 
regarded as an act of impiety to this Divinity, to remove or deface 
any of the Termini. Nay, they visited them at set times, as the 
children in London are accustomed to perambulate the limits of 
their parish, which they call processioning ; a custom probably 
derived to them from the Romans, who were so many ages in pos¬ 
session of the Island of Great Britain.”— Brand's Popular Anti¬ 
quities. 


PAROCHIAL PERAMBULATIONS. 55 

return to church, make their common prayers; 
provided that the curate in the said perambulation 
as heretofore in the days of Rogations, at certain 
convenient places, shall admonish the people to 
give God thanks in the beholding of God’s benefits, 
for the increase and abundance of his fruits upon 
the face of the earth, with the saying of the 104th 
Psalm, &c.; at which time also the said Minister 
shall inculcate this and such like sentences, 
6 Cursed be he which translateth the bounds and 
doles of his neighbour,’ or such other order of 
prayer as shall be hereafter appointed.”* One 
of our Church Homilies is also expressly composed 
for this occasion. 

What is related on this head in the Life of 
Hooker,f author of the Ecclesiastical Polity, is 
extremely interesting: 44 He would by no means 
omit the customary time of procession, persuading 
all, both rich and poor, if they desired the preser¬ 
vation of love and their parish rights and liberties, 
to accompany him in his perambulation; and most 
did so; in which perambulation he would usually 
express more pleasant discourse than at other 
times, and would then always drop some loving 
and facetious observations, to be remembered 
against the next year, especially by the boys and 
young people: still inclining them and all his 
parishioners, to meekness, and mutual kindnesses 
and love, because love thinks not evil, but covers 
a multitude of infirmities.” 

There does not appear to be any law existing 
to enforce the observance of this custom, nor can 
the ecclesiastical Judges oblige the churchwardens 
to go their bounds; it is, however, still performed 
once in seven years in this parish, though not 
attended with all its ancient ceremonies; the last 
took place in 1828. 

* Gibson’s Codex.—Faulkner’s Hist, of Fulham. 

Zouch’s Edit, of Walton’s Live*, 8vo. York, 1807, p. 239. 


56 


RECTORY. 


RECTORY. 

u The Church of Marybone (or Tybourn, as it 
was then called), was appropriated in the reign of 
King John, by William de Sancta Maria, Bishop 
of London, to the priory of St. Laurence de Blake- 
more,* in Essex, with the reservation of a com¬ 
petent maintenance for a Yicar, whereby it seems 
to have been then made presentative of a Yicar, 
though it became afterwards a Donative or Curacy, 
in the disposal of the aforesaid Priory; the said 
approbation was confirmed by Roger Niger in the 
7th year of his consecration, and also about the 
same time by the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, 
Godfrey de Lucy being then Dean.”f 

On the suppression of that Priory, which took 
place in the year 1525, the King gave the Rectory 
to Wolsey, with licence to appropriate it to the 
Dean and Canons of Christchurch; who, at his 
request granted it to the master and scholars of 
his college at Ipswich.J When the Cardinal fell 
into disgrace, the King seized this Rectory as 
part of his property,§ and it continued in the 
Crown till the year 1552, when it was granted to 

* An Hermitage, or Priory of Black Canons, built by Adam 
and Jordan de Samford, to the Honour of St. Laurence, before or 
in the beginning' of King John’s Reign. This was one of the 
small monasteries which Cardinal Wolsey procured to be dissolved, 
17th Hen. VIII., in order to the endowmentof his two Colleges at 
Oxford and Ipswich, at which time the Earl of Oxford claimed 
to be founder, and it was valued at 85/. 9s. 7 d. per annum , viz. 
in spiritualities, 41/. 13s. 4 d .; and in temporalities, 43/. 11s. 3d. 
Upon the attainder of the Cardinal, this Priory was granted in 
exchange, 23d Hen. VIII to Waltham Abbey ; and after the 
general suppression, to John Smith, 23d. Hen. VIII. — Tanner's 
Notitia Monastica. 

■f Newcourt’s Repertorium. 

j Lysons' Environs .—From a MS account of the manor, &c. 
drawn up by Mr. Thomas, who was Steward to the Earls of 
Oxford. § Ibid. 


LIST OF INCUMBENTS. 


57 

Thomas Reve and George Cotton, in common 
soccage.* It came’ into the Forset family, then 
proprietors of the Manor, before the year 1650,f 
and both Manor and Rectory have since passed 
through the same hands. The Rectory continued 
an impropriation until the year 1821, when accord¬ 
ing to the Provisions made by an Act of Parliament 
passed in the 57th year of the Reign of George III. 
intituled 44 An Act for ratifying the Purchase of the 
impropriate Rectory of the Parish of St. Mary-le- 
bone, in the County of Middlesex,” the Government 
purchased the right of presentation of the Duke 
of Portland, in whose family it had been vested 
for nearly a century. A grant of a portion of 
Crown land in the neighbourhood of His Grace’s 
seat at Welbeck, of the value of 40,000/., having 
been made, by way of exchange. 

In the year loll, the Minister’s salary was 
only 13 shillings per annum, paid by Thomas 
Hobson, then a lessee under the Priory of Blake- . 
more. In 1650, the impropriation was valued at 
80/. per annum,J the Minister was then paid 15/. 
per annum ;§ at that time the whole of the emolu¬ 
ments could be scarcely double. 

List of Names of Persons who have been Ministers 
of the Parish Church. 

Francis Barton, «- 11 July, 1582 

Thomas More, - - 5 July, 1583 

John Payton, - - Jan. 1585 

Robert Powell, - 10 June, 1587 

Griffin Edwards, 18 Dec. 1598. He was also 

* Newconrt. f Parliamentary Surreys, Lamb. MSS. Lib. 

J MS. in possession of John White, Esq. 

§ The Commissioners appointed to inquire into the State of 
Ecclesiastical Benefices, proposed to unite the Parishes of Mary- 
le-bone and Paddington, to build a church at Lisson Green for 
both, and to settle 100/. per annum on the Minister.— Lysons\ 


58 


LIST OF INCUMBENTS. 


Curate of the Church of Dadington, in the year 
1640. 

Thomas Swadlin, D. D. He was Minister of 
this Church, during the Civil War, was of St. John’s 
College, Oxford ; and had the living of St. Botolph, 
Aldgate, where for his eloquent preaching, he was 
much followed by the orthodox party ; but in the 
beginning of the troubles he was seized and impri¬ 
soned, first in Gresham College, and afterwards in 
Newgate, he was sequestered, plundered, and his 
wife and family turned out of doors. Upon his 
liberation he retired to Oxford, where he was created 
Doctor of Divinity, anno 1646, about which time 
and after, he obtained a subsistence by teaching in 
the neighbourhood of London. Upon the Restora¬ 
tion of Charles II. he was reinstated in his prefer¬ 
ment, and in 1662, he was presented to the Vicarage 
of St. James’s, Dover, and the Rectory of Hougham 
near that place, by the favour of Dr. Juxon, Arch¬ 
bishop of Canterbury. About the year 1664, he 
was presented to the Rectory of All-Hallows in 
Stamford, Lincolnshire, by Edward, Earl of Cla¬ 
rendon, Lord High Chancellor of England. He 
published in 1661, a volume of Sermons on the 
anniversary of King Charles’s death. 

Edmund Price - 1664 

John Crosbie, - 1669 

William Rogers. 

George Allen, 30 May, 1672. He was also 
Rector of Stanford-le-Hope, and Vicar of Mucking, 
in Essex, in 1700* 

Matthew Brailsford, - - 1711 

Randolph Ford, Curate f - 1711 

* The above List is taken from Newcourt’s Repertoriura, and 
the remainder from the Parish Registers. 

f Harl. MSS. No. 6824, fol. 190.—“ Saturday, June 24, 1724, 

I was at the funeral of the Rev. Mr. Ford, Curate of Marybone. 
The Rev. Mr. Thomas Riddle, who was Curate of *£t. Giles’s in 
the Fields, and since lecturer, gave the following account, that 
on one certain Sunday he performed the following duties :— 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


59 


Daniel Boote, - 1754 

Thomas Dyer, - - - 1760 

James Parent, - - - 1760 

Thomas Foster, ... 1765 

Stephen Deguthon, - - 1767 

J. Baker, - - - - 1768 

Sambrook Russell, - - 1768 

William Charles Dyer. 


The Hon. and Rev. John Harley, Bishop of 
Hereford, Dean of Windsor, Rector of Presteign 
in Radnorshire, and Minister of this Parish. He 
died 1788. 

Sir Richard Kaye, Bart. LL. D. died 1809. 

Luke Heslop, B. D. Archdeacon of Bucks, 
who died 1825. 

t«/Wve 

THE OLD CHURCH. 

The Church of Ty-bourn, being dedicated to St. 
John the Evangelist, seems to have fallen into 
ruin and decay through some cause now unknown, 
and from its lonely situation, became subject to 
dilapidation without controul, the ornaments, bells, 
&c. having been repeatedly stolen. Robert Bray- 
broke, then Bishop of London, granted a licence to 
the inhabitants, upon their petition, (dated Oct. 23, 
1400,) to take down the said Church, which stood 
on or near the site of the present Court-house, and 
to build a new one, of stones or flints, near the 
place, where, by his licence, they had lately erected 

In the morning', married six couple ; then read the whole 
prayers, and preached ♦, after that churched six women. 

In the afternoon, read prayers and preached ; christened thirty- 
two children, six at home, the rest at the font ; buried thirteen 
corpses, and read the distinct service over each of them separately, 
and this done hy nine o’clock at night. 

On the first leaf of the Register-Book, under the name of Mr. 
Ford, his address is written in pencil, “ at the Highlander , Little 
Suffolk Street , Charing Cross." 


60 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


a chapel, which chapel might in the mean time be 
used. The Bishop claimed the right of laying the 
first stone ; it was also stipulated that the old 
churchyard was to be preserved, but the inhabitants 
were allowed to inclose another adjoining to the 
new edifice.* 

It is uncertain at what time the old cemetery 
ceased to be respected, but its site is clearly iden¬ 
tified by the number of human bones which were 
dug up while preparing the foundation for the Old 
Court House in 1727, and for the New Court 
House in 1822. 

Upon the erection of the New Church, as above- 
mentioned, it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, 
and stood till May 1740, when, being in a very 
ruinous condition, it was taken down. The interior 
of this building is shewn in one of the plates of 
Hogarth’s Rake’s Progress. The monuments are 
represented as they then existed, and some ill-spelt 
lines, pointing out the vault of the Forset family, 
were actually copied from the originals :— 

THESE : PEWES: VNSCRVD: AND: TAN *. IN! SVNDER 
IN : STONE : THERS: GRAVEN : WHAT : IS: VNDER 

to : wit : a : valt : for : bvri al : there : is 

WHICH: EDWARD ! FORSET : MADE : FOR : HIM : AND: HIS 

The inscription denoting the church to have been 
beautified when Thomas Sice and Thomas Horn 
were Churchwardens, was not fabricated for the 
purpose of ridicule (though it might have served 
that purpose, when contrasted Avith the ruinous 
appearance of the Church), but proves to be 
genuine.f 

“ The Rake’s Progress, a Series of Eight Plates, 
appeared in 1735. Plate V. The Rake is here exhibited 
embracing the happy opportunity of recruiting his wasted 
fortune by a marriage with a ‘deformed and superannuated 

* Braybroke Register, f. 348, a, b.— Lysons *. 

f Nicliolls’s Life of Hogarth, p. 216, 217. 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


61 


female, ordinary even to a proverb, and possessed but of 
one eye. As this wedding* was designed .to be a private 
one, they are supposed to have retired for that purpose 
to the church of St. Mary-le-bone, (which at that time 
was denominated a small village, in the outskirts of 
London), but as secret as he thought to keep it, it did 
not fail to reach the ears of an unfortunate young woman 
whom he had formerly seduced, and who is here repre¬ 
sented, entering with her child and mother, in order to 
forbid the solemnization. They are however opposed by 
the pew-opener, lest, through an interruption of the 
ceremony, she should lose her customary fee, and a 
battle consequently ensues. A manifest token of the 
small regard paid to these sacred places. By the decayed 
appearance of the walls of this building, the torn belief, 
and cracked commandments, our author would humour¬ 
ously and effectually intimate the great indifference 
shewn to the decency of churches in country parishes.” 

“ The only thing further to be noticed, is that of the 
poor’s box, whose perforation is humourously covered 
with a web, where a spider is supposed to have been a 
long time settled, not finding so good a resting place 
before; and it i3 probable she might have continued 
there much longer, had not the overseer, in private, 
searched the box, with a view of abstracting its contents. 
Hence are we given to understand, that dissipation so 
far prevails as to drive humanity from the heart; and 
that so selfish are we grown, as to have no feeling for 
the distresses of our fellow-creatures; a matter which, 
while it disgraces the Christian, even degrades the man.” 

Adverting to this incident, as also to the cracked com¬ 
mandments, and the creed destroyed by the damps of the 
church, Mr. Ireland observes: “ These three high-wrought 
strokes of satirical humour, were perhaps never equalled 
by an exertion of the pencil; excelled they cannot be.”* 

This Church was replaced by another, erected on 
the same site, which was opened for Divine Service 


* The above description of this Plate is taken from Dr. Trus- 
ler’s “ Hogarth Moralized,” Edit. 1831, published by Mr. Major, 
of Fleet Street. 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


62 

in April 1742.* It is an oblong square brick build¬ 
ing, with a small bell tower at the west end, it has 
a gallery on the north south and west sides, the 
altar occupying the east end. Several of the monu¬ 
mental slabs which were in the former church, are 
preserved, and transferred to the walls of the present 
building, the inscription relating to the vault of the 
Forset family, is preserved with great care, the 
letters are raised in wood on panel, and placed in 
front of a pew directly opposite the altar, f The 
entrance to this church was formerly at the east 
and west ends, but upon its being converted into 
the Parish Chapel in 1818, by Act of Parliament, 
51 Geo. III. cap. 151, § 39, some judicious altera¬ 
tions were made, the entrance at the east end was 
blocked up, that at the west only remaining ; the 
pulpit and reading desk were separated, and removed 
near the east wall, and some different arrangement 
made in the pews. The organ is placed in the west 
gallery. This chapel is a curacy in the jurisdiction 
of the diocese of London, but in the patronage of 
the Rector of the parish. The present incumbent 
is the Rev. Richard Henry Chapman, M. A. Rector 
of Kirkby Wiske, Thirsk, Yorkshire. 

The following inscriptions are on the exterior wall 
at the east end, near the top of the building:— 


Rebuilt in ye. year 1741. 
Walter Lee, } . , 

John Deschamps, J Churchwardens. 


Converted into a Parish Chapel, 

By Act of Parliament, LI. George III. 
on the IV. Feh. MDCCCXVII. 

The Day of Consecration of the New Church. 


* There is a Blank left in the Register of burials, between May 
7, 1740, and April 4, 1742 ; and the following entry is inserted— 
“ In this interval the Parish Church was rebuilt.” 

t The two first lines of this Inseription are the originals, the 
two last were restored in 1816, at the expense of the Rev. Mr. 
Chapman, the Minister. The Vault is now occupied by the Port¬ 
land Family. 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


63 


Funeral Monuments. 

In the extensive range of antiquarian science, 
there is no one subject more truly interesting, or 
deeply affecting, than that of sepulchral monuments. 
Whether considered as evidences of the art of 
sculpture, as memorials of history, or as tangible 
records of greatness and worth, they present irre¬ 
sistible claims on our feelings and fancies. They 
awaken and animate all the best sympathies of 
human nature; by inspiring reverence and adoration 
for merit and virtue,—detestation and contempt 
for folly and vice. To the historian they impart 
facts, and convey instruction; whilst the antiquary 
and artist resort to them as witnesses to verify the 
progress of art, the fluctuation of customs, the 
changes of fashion, the vicissitudes of the human 
race. In all ages, and in all countries, they mani¬ 
fest the glorious ambition of man to live “ beyond 
the grave.” The Christian religion produced, 
amongst its great improvements and changes a 
complete revolution in the moral and physical 
habits of mankind. It was not till some centuries 
after the Christian Advent that interments were 
allowed within the walls of churches, or any thing 
like monumental record was adopted. The .first 
instance we meet with of burying within a Church, 
is that of Archbishop Cuthbert in Canterbury 
Cathedral, about the middle of the eighth century. 
This most dangerous and injurious practice, once 
begun, was eagerly followed by the powerful, proud, 
and infatuated Christians. It became a source of 
great revenue to the priesthood, and is still con¬ 
tinued, to the disgrace of Protestant as well as 
Catholic Churches.* 

Monuments were anciently erected agreeably to 
the quality of the deceased, that every one might 


Britton’s Architectural Antiquities, vol. v. 


64 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


discern of what degree the person was when living. 
Noblemen had their effigies carved in stone, or 
engraved on brass, and this was intended to bear 
a likeness to the deceased person; upon the same 
were usually inscribed their titles, marriages, issues, 
and employments. Gentry, and persons of lower 
condition, were interred under a flat stone,* in¬ 
scribed with their name and time of their decease ; 
and these particulars were sometimes engraved on 
a brass plate.f It w r as not till after the Reformation 
that monumental slabs began to be placed against 
the walls of Churches. The following, monuments 
are at present existing in the old Church in 
High Street. Biographical notices of the more 
eminent persons will appear under a separate 
head. 


fHomtnuntal Inscriptions^ 

East Wall. 

Here lyeth interred the body of Sir Edmvnd Douce, 
of Brovghton, in the Covnty of Sovth : K T - who 
was Cvp-Bearer to Ann of Denmark, Queene to 
Kynge James, and to Henryetta Maria of France, 
40 yeares a constant Servant in his place, never 
maryed. At the writinge hereof he was aged three 
score and three yeares in Anno Dni. 1644. 

Mors mihi lucrum. 

Arms, —Or, a fesse cheeky Az. and Arg. between three 
greyhounds courant Sable. 


* Brand , says, in his Popular Antiquities ,—“The custom of 
laying flat stones in our Churches and Churchyards over the 
graves of better sort of persons, on which are inscribed Epitaphs 
containing the name, age, character, &c. of the deceased, has 
been transmitted from very ancient times, as appears from the 
writings of Cicero and others .”—Cicero de Legibus, xi. 

“ Lapidea mensa terra operitur hwmato corpore hominis qui 
aliquo sit numero, quae contineat laudem et nomen mortui incisum, 
mos retinetur .”—Moretini Papatus, %c. p. 86. 
t Camden's Remains, p. 308. 


MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 


65 


The following inscriptions are on a black marble slab in 
two compartments. 

In this Vault Neere this Monvment lyeth the Body of 
Elizabeth Roberts, the Wife of Thomas Roberts, 
Esq. Son and Heire of Sir Walter Roberts of Glassen- 
bury, in the Covnty of Kent, K T - & Barronett, by 
whom she had issue two Sons & one Davghter. She 
was the onely Davghter & Heire of S R - Mathew How¬ 
land of Stratton in the Covnty of Svrry, K T - by Dame 
Frances, Davghter of Edward Forsett, Esq. Lord of 
this Mannor; She secondly Maried Hvmphrey Scott 
of Havckhvrst in the Covnty of Kent, Esq. by whom 
she had 3 Sons & two Davghters. She liv’d desir’d 
and dyed Lamented on the Leaventh of December, 
A 0 * Dni. 1658. 

Left Compartment. 

In the Vavlt neere this Monvment lyeth interred the 
body of Dame Francees Howland, the mother of 
y e - said Elizabeth Scot & Relict of S R - Mathew How¬ 
land of Stretham in the Covnty of Svrrey, K T - one of 
y e - Davghters of Edward Forcett of Maribone in y e - 
Covnty of Midde. Esq. who departed this life at Step¬ 
ney, the third day of May in the yeare of ovr Lord, 
1668, and about the Seventy-Seaventh yeare of her 
age. 

For whose piovs memory the Lady Howland 
her Loving Mother erected this Monvment 
and intendis to be heere also bvried. 

Arms. —1. Arg. three bars Sab. in chief, three lions 
rampant of the second.—Howland, impaling, Or, a 
lion rampant Sab. over all a bend gobony Arg. and 
gules.— Forset. 2. Az. on a chevron, Arg. three 
mullets Sable, impaling Howland. 3. Arg. a cross 
croslet, fitchee Sable.—Scott, quartering, Az. three 
conger’s heads erased Or.—Conghurst and impaling 
Howland. 


66 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


Beneath this place resteth the Body of 
Deborah Chambers, 

Wife of Richard Chambers, of the City of Yorke, 
Merchant, and Daughter of Edward Mesenden, Esq. 
who died Oct. 30, 1680, Aged 63 years. 

Arms. —Or, a fesse Az. between three conies Sable, im¬ 
paling ; Or, a cross engrailed G. in the first quarter a 
Cornish chough, proper.—Messenden. 


Near this place lies the Remains of 
Lieutenant-General Richard Prescott, 
of the 7th Regt. of Royal Fusileers, 
Obiit 19th October, 1788, iEtat. 68 years. 


Sacred to the Memory of 
Elizabeth, Wife of Captain Towry, R. N. 
Obiit 19th Dec. 1806, JEt. 28. 

Exemplary as a Daughter, a Wife, a Mother, and a 
Christian! 

Reflection dwells with melancholy Pleasure on the gentle 
Virtues which adorned her Life; 

While Feeling embalms her beloved Memory 
with a Husband’s Tears. 


In a Vault of this Church are deposited the Remains of 
General Sir George Beckwith, G. C. B. 
Second son of Major Gen. John Beckwfith, of Bluerly in 
the County of York, and of Janet, Daughter of the 
Rev. Dr. George Wishart, Dean of the Chapel 
Royal Edinburgh. 

Who departed this life, March the 20th, 1823, 
in the 70th year of his age. 

Also Brig. Gen. Ferdinand Amelia Fairfax Beckwith, 
(Their third son) 

Who died Oct. 14, 1805, aged 40. 

Also Jessie Philadelphia Beckwith, (Eldest child of their 
fifth son, Maj. Gen. Sir Thomas Sidney Beckwith, 

K. C. B. and of Clementina, daughter of Thomas 
Loughnan, Esq.) who died July 8, 1822. 

Aged 19 years. 





MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 


67 


In Memory of 

Mrs. Elizabeth Hodgins Cargill, 
of Nottingham Place, whose Remains are deposited in 
the ground adjoining this Chapel. 

She died March 19, A. D. 1821, aged 80 years. 


North Wall. 

Near this place lyeth y e - body of Grace Lee, late wife 
of Thomas Lee, of this Parish, ( yeoman) who died 
March y e - 24th 1724, aged 56 years. Also the body 
of y e - abovemention’d Thomas Lee, who died May y e * 
27th 1726, aged 55 years. They were tender parents, 
kind Neighbours, and serviceable Parishioners. 


Underneath lie the Remains of 
James Gibbs, Esq. 

Whose skill in Architecture, appears by his Printed 
Works as well as the Buildings directed by him. 
Among other Legacys and Charitys, he left One Hun¬ 
dred Pounds towards Enlarging this Church. 

He died August 5, 1754, aged 71.* 


To the Memory of William Long, Esq. 

This Monument is erected by his brother, Rear Admiral 
Long, A. D. 1762. 

Arms. —Sab. semee of cross croslets and a lion rampant, 
Argent. 

* Posterity is indebted for the preservation of this Inscription to 
Sampson Ilodgkins<»n, Esq an ardent lover of antiquities, and 
Sidesman of the parish Church, who at his own expense, had these 
letters repainted in 1816 ; but no satisfactory account of the ex¬ 
penditure of the bequest mentioned on the monum* lit, can be dis¬ 
covered in the Vestry Minutes. The above gentleman, who has 
resided in the parish from his infancy, possesses a fund of genuine 
entertaining- biographical anecdote, an excellent collection of mine¬ 
rals, and a curious and splendid library, which in the most kind 
and obliging manner is rendered accessible to those who require 
local information. 




68 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


To the Memory 
of William Thomas, Esq. 
who dyed the the 30th of Nov. 1764, aged 88 years. 
Also Mrs. Mary Thomas, Relict of the above, who dyed 
April 7, 1768, aged 77 years. Also Mrs. Margaret 
Morgan, Sister to William Thomas, Esq. who 
died March 26, 1794, aged 82 years. 

Also Mrs. Anne Thomas, Sister to William Thomas, Esq. 
died July 9, 1781, aged 86 years. 


To the Memory of Elizabeth, 

Wife of Edward Thornhill of Sunbury in this County, 
was the only daughter of Francis Tredgold, (late of 
this Parish) by his wife Mary; she died on the 17th 
day of May, 1766, in the 26th year of her age, and 
lies interred in her Father’s vault in this Churchyard. 
Francis Tredgold, the only child of the above Edward 
and Elizabeth Thornhill, who died Oct. 11th 1762, 
aged 13 months, is buried in the same Vault. 


Near this place lyeth the Body of Mrs. Ann Lloyd, 
Widow of William Lloyd, late of the Parish of St. 
James’s Westminster, Gentleman ; and also Relict of 
the late Mr. Humfrey Wanle, Library Keeper to the 
Rt. Hon. Robert and Edward, Earls of Oxford, &c. 
she Dyed March the 9th 1767, aged 70 years. 


To the Memory of 
The Rev. Edmund Hodshon, 

Late Rector of Spennithorne, in the North Riding of 
the County of York, 

Who departed this life, the 29th of July, 1778, 
iEtat 42. 

Arms .—Per chevron engrailed Or. and Az. 3 martlets 
counterchanged. 

Beneath this Monument 
Rest the Remains of Ralph Smyth, Esq. 

Late of Field Town in the County of Westmeath in the 
Kingdom of Ireland, who "departed this life 
at his House in Charles Street, Cavendish Square, on 
February the 23d, 1782, aged 65. 






MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 69 

Here lies the body 
of Lady Mary West, 

Wife of the Hon. George West, and Daughter of the 
Fourth Earl of Stamford. 

She died March the 1st, 1783, aged 43. 

Arms. —Arg. a fesse dauncettee Sab. impaling, Barry of 
six Arg. and Az. in chief three torteauxes—Grey. 


Near this place lies interred 
Anne Foster, 

who died January 10, 1786, aged 92 years. 

Also Alice, the wife of John Yarker, Esq. who died 
November 24, 1812, aged 85 years. 

Also John Yarker, Esq. of Leyburn, in the County of 
York, who died July 17, 1813, aged 84 years. 

Also Anne Yarker, only daughter of the above John and 
Alice Yarker, who died October 29, 1818, 
aged 62 years. 


Sacred to the Memory of the late 
Sir George Collier, Knt. Vice Admiral of the Blue, 
who departed this Life, April 6, 1795, aged 65 years, 
the principal part of which was devoted to the 
Service of his Country. 


Sacred to the Memory of 

Charles Brietzcke, Esq. late of the Secretary 
of States Office, who died June 5, A. D. 1795, A St. 57. 

Also to the memory of his second son, * 
Lieutenant Charles Ware Brietzcke, of H.M.S. Hannibal, 
who survived his father but a few months, having 
fallen a victim to the ravages of the Yellow Fever in the 
West Indies, Oct. A. D. 1795, iEtat 20. 


To the Memory 

of Barbara, Countess of Scarborough, 
who died 22d day of July, A. D. 1797, aged 62 years. 
The well-merited affection of her Children, 

Has placed this Monument in pious Sorrow, and 
grateful Veneration. 






70 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


Sacred to the Memory 

of Samuel Estwick, Esq. whose Remains are 
deposited in his Family Vault, in the Ground belonging* 
to this Church. 

He was born the 22d of Jan. 1770, Married, the 15th of 
July, 1793, the Hon. Cassandra Julia Hawke, eldest 
daughter of The Right Hon. Lord Hawke; and 
died the 23d of February, 1797. 


Near this place are deposited the Remains of 
Elizabeth Stanley, 

Sister and heir at law to the late Sir William Stanley 
of Hooton, in the County of Cheshire, Bart, 
and Wife of Charles Haggerston Constable Stanley, 
of Upper Seymour Street, Esq. 
who has erected this Monument to her Memory, 
She died the 23d of June, 1797, aged 47. 


Sacred to the memory 
of Mrs. Janette Taiiourdin, 

Wife of Peter Tahourdin, of Argyle street, Gent, who 
died suddenly on the 12th day of June, 1800, 
in the 35th year of her age. 


In the Vault No.J5, are deposited the Remains of 
Elizabeth Smith, 

wife of Adam Smith, Esq. of the Island of Jamaica ; who 
died after having given birth to a Son, 
on the xxx day of November, mdccc. aged xxix. 


Near this place lieth interred Grace, 
the Wife of Lieut.-Colonel Frederick Philipse Robinson, 
who died the 27th of May 1806, aged 36 years, 
also two of their children. 


Near this place lie the Remains of 
Joseph Jones, Esq. 

Many years a Banker in the City of London, 
He died at his house in Cavendish Square, on the 
xxvuth Day of November, mdcccxi. 
Aged lx xni years. 







MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 


71 


Near this place lie the Remains of 
William Oram, Esq. of this Parish, who departed 
this life the xxist of November, mdcccxiii. 
Aged liv. 


To the Memory of Elizabeth, 

Wife of Thomas Hart Davies of Madras, in the East 
Indies, Esq., who died on the 29th day of May, 18.7, 
Aged 44 years. 


West Wall. 


Jacet 

Johannes Crosbie 
W estmorlandiensis 



Ortus Aprilis 13, 1591 
Sepultus, 30 Junij, 1669, 
iEtatis suae 72. 


In Memory of 

Elizabeth, their beloved Daughter, 

Taken from them in the Eleventh year of her age, 
Her afflicted Parents, Charles and Judith Mellish, 
Have placed this marble, 

A pledge of their affection for a dutiful child, 
Born April 27, 1771. Died March 28, 1782. 
Buried under the first and second pew opposite. 


Sacred to the memory of Mary Curtis, 
Wife of John Curtis, Esq. of Manchester Square, 
Obiit Nov. 20, 1794,,-ffitat. 33. 





72 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


Near this place are deposited the Remains of 
Signor Givseppe Baretti, 

A native of Piedmont in Italy, Secretary for Foreign 
Correspondence to the Royal Academy of Arts, of 
London ; Author of several esteemed Works in his own 
and the Languages of France and of England. 


Near this place are deposited the Remains of 
John Broomhead, Esq. 
who died the 21st of January, 1794, aged 58 years. 

Also of John Broomhead, his son, 
who died the 19th of April, 1807, aged 37 years. 
This tribute of respect is erected to their memory by 
filial duty and affection. 


Near this place lye the Remains of 
Peter Oliver, M. D. 

Son of the Hon. Andrew Oliver, late of Boston, 
New England, 

who died April 6, 1795, aged 45 years. 


In memory of 

A life devoted to the Stvdy of Mvsical Science, and 
shorten’d by Vnremitted application and anxiety in the 
attainment of its object, 

This marble is inscribed with the Name of 
Stephen Storace, 

whose professional talents commanded pvblick applavse, 
whose private virtves ensvr’d domestic affection. 

He died March 16, 1796, aged 34, and is interred vnder 
this Chvrch. 

Silent his lyre, or wak’d to Heav’nly strains, 

Clos’d his short scene of cheqver’d joys and pains, 
Belov’d and gratefvl as the notes he svng, 

His name still trembles on Affection’s tongve, 

Still in ovr bosoms holds its wonted part, 

And strikes the chords, which vibrate to the heart. 

p. h. 

This marble is pvt vp by a tender mother, and 
an affectionate sister. 






MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 


73 


In Memory of 

John Purling, Esq. late of this Parish, 
who departed this Life on the 23d day of August, 1800, 
in the 74th year of his age, 
and lies interred in one of the Vaults belonging 
to this Church. 


To the Memory of 
Colonel John Tottingham, 
who died June 3, 1802, 
aged 63 years. 


In a Vault near this place are deposited the Remains of 
William Auther Crosbie, Esq. 
late of this Parish, 

who departed this Life, February the 19th, 1804, 
aged 50 years. 


Sacred to the Memory 
of Stephen Haven, Esq. 

who departed this Life, the 17th of March, 1805, aged 44, 
He was a Native of Ireland, 

But passed the greater part of his life in America and the 
Bahamas, in which last place he filled many Offices of 
Trust and Honour, and was universally respected. 

In his private Character 

He was eminently distinguished for his Philanthropy 
and Benevolence to the Friendless of every description. 
He has left a Widow and three Children 
to lament the loss of an affectionate Parent and 
kind Protector. 


Sacred to the Memory of 
Martha, Widow 7 of the late John Dymoke, Esq. 
The Honourable the King’s Champion, 
of Scrivelsby Court, in the County of Lincoln, 
who died August 9, 1811, aged 77, 

Her remains are deposited in the private Dormitory 
of this Church. 

E 







74 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


Sacred to the Memory of 
Abraham Holden Turner, Esq. 

Late of this Parish, who died the 28th of December, 1811, 
in the 53d year of his age. 


Sacred to the Memory of 
Mr. Edmond Turville Turner, 
Son of the above Abraham Holden Turner, 
Died the 27th of October, 1815, 
aged 16 years. 


On this wall was formerly a monument of lead, gilt, 
with figures in alto-relievo, to the memory of some chil¬ 
dren of Thomas Taylor of Popes, in Hertfordshire, by 
Sarah, Daughter of John Wells, of Marybone, 1689, &c. 
But, on the alteration of the Church in 1816, this monu¬ 
ment was stolen ; and it is difficult to find words adequate 
to express the indignation excited in the minds of the 
lovers of antiquity, at the commission of such an act of 
sacrilege. It is also equally surprising, that no proper 
investigation was set on foot to discover the real delin¬ 
quent. 



South Wall. 

Near this Place is interred the Body of 
Thomas Taylor, 

Late of Kensington in the County of Middlesex , Esq. 
who departed this life, the 17th Nov. 1716, aged 80. 

Also is here interred the body of 
Mrs. Sarah Taylor, Wife of the said Thomas Taylor, 
who changed this life for a better, 
the 7th Oct. 1746, aged 80. 

Preserve me O God for in thee have I put my Trust. 
Psalm xvi. ver. 1. 

Open me the Gates of Righteousness that I may 
Go into into them and Give Thanks unto the Lord. 
Psalm cxviii. ver. 19. 

Arms .—Arg. on a Chief Or, two boar’s heads erased, 
Az. (a mullet for difference), impaling, Or, a lion 
rampant Azure. 




MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 


75 


Near this place are interred the Remains of 
Mrs. Sarah Kimber, 
who was born at Dover, A. D. 1720, and died 
Oct. 13, 1768. 

What! tho’ no pompous Titles grace her Name, 
Nor Wealth, nor Honours, dignify her Fame : 

A mild and Cheerful Temper, lively sense, 

True friendship, and humane benevolence ; 

These Graces of the Mind, by time improv’d, 
Made her, wherever she was known, belov’d. 


Near this place lieth the body of 
Charlotte Meynell, 

Youngest Daughter of the late Godfrey Meynell, Esq. 
of Derbyshire deceased, and Frances his wife, 

She died the 2d of September 1769, aged 12 years. 
Torn from her weeping Friends ere yet in Bloom 
She fell too early Victim for the Tomb, 

On Earth her Prudence, Innocence of thought, 
Good Nature, Piety, avail’d her Nought, 
Omnipotence unwilling seem’d to spare 
The Virgin longer to a Mother’s care, 

But call’d her forth such Virtues to employ 
In happy Mansions of eternal Joy, 

Her tender Mother holds her Mem’ry dear, 

And pays the last sad Tribute of a Tear. 


Sacred to the memory of 
Gilbert Fane Fleming, Esq. 
who was interred in this Church, Dec. XXVIII. 
MDCCLXXVI. 

This monument is here placed by his ever affectionate 
and most truly grateful wi'fe, 

Lady Camilla Fleming. 


To the memory of 
Wastel Briscoe, Esq. 

who departed this Life, the 10th day of November, 1796, 
Aged 85. 





76 


THE OLD CHURCH* 


To the Memory of 
John Allen, Esq. 

Son of the Rev. George Allen, sometime Minister 
of this Parish. 

He was Apothecary to the Households of King George 
the First, Second and Third ; 
and having employed a long life, and ample Fortune, 
in Acts of Benevolence and Charity, 

Liberal to others, Frugal only to himself. He was 
released from his Labours, and called to his Reward 
March 17, 1774, in the Ninety-first year of his age. 
By his Will he gave large Benefactions 
To his Relations, Friends and Servants. To Poor 
Clergymen's Widows and Children. To Poor House¬ 
keepers, and the Charity Children of this Parish, 
of St. Paul Covent-Garden, and of St. James’s 
Westminster. To St. George’s Hospital, 
of which he was a Governor from the first institution, 
and to the Company of Apothecaries, 
of which he was a most respected member, 
Providence seems to have protracted the Life of this 
excellent man, as an example to shew 
how useful a private person may be with a mind 
so dispos’d. 


Near this place lies interred the body of 
Daniel M c Gilchrist, Esq. 

Late of the Island of Jamaica, who died at his house 
in Portland Place, on the 6th of March 1783, 
aged 64 years. 

On the 14th of July 1772, he was married to Ann, 
fourth daughter of the Hon. Thomas Fearon 
of Clarendon in the said Island, 
who erected this monument in grateful remembrance 
of him. 


Joanni Montagu, 

Armigero Antiqua Montacutorum 
Ac 

Trevororum Stirpe 
Orto Viro Pio Probo Benevolo. 

Arms. Montagu and Morthermer quarterly, not blazoned. 




MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 


77 


In a Vault in the Neighbouring Churchyard 
lie the Remains of 
Mrs. Elizabeth Park, 

Wife of James Park, Esq. late of Sloane Street, Chelsea. 
She died on the 3d day of May, A. D. 1793. 
aged 68 years. 


Sacred 

to the Memory of 
Grainger Muir, Esq. 

Colonel in the Service of the East India Company. 
He went to India, Anno 1747. He was a Captain, and 
led the advanced guard at the Battle of Plassey. 

He commanded the army employed against the Maratta 
Chief Madajee Scindia, and by his jvdiciovs condvct 
Negotiated a Peace with that Chief in 1781, 
and thereby laid the Fovndation of the General Peace 
conclvded with the Maratta States in 1782. 

With a delicate sense of Honor, he had all the ardour of 
his profession qs a Soldier, 

He was amiable in his manners, Generovs in his 
Dispositions, Affectionate and steady in his Friendships. 
He retvrn’d to England in 1785, 
and departed this Life the 3d of August, 1786, 
aged 52 years. 


Sacred to the Memory of 
Caroline Watson, 

Engraver to Her Majesty, who died 9th June 1814, 
Aged 54. 

If Taste and Feeling , that with goodness dwell , 
And teach the modest Artist to excel; 

If Gratitude , whose voice to Heaven ascends , 

And seems celestial to surviving Friends ; 

If charms so pure a lasting Record claim , 

Preserve, Thou faithful Stone! a spotless Name ! 
Meek Caroline ! receive due Praise from Earth 
For Graceful Talents join d to genuine worth ! 

God gave thee gifts , such as to few may fall , 

Thy Heart , to Him who gave , devoted all. 

W. Hayley. 

Erected by John Eardley Wilmot. 




78 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


Here lies the body of 
Edward Elton, Esq. 

formerly of Clifton, in the County of Gloucester, and 
Late of Greenway , in the County of Devon, 
and of Gloucester Place, New Road, in this Parish, 
Obiit xx Die Septembris, mcccxi, 
iEtat lxix. 


Sacred to the memory of 
Mrs. Mary Ann Price, 
of this Parish, who departed this Life, 
on the 12th day of April, 1820, 
Aged 30 years. 


In a Vault belonging to this Church 
(In the full assurance of a blessed Resurrection) 
are deposited the respected Remains of 
Mrs. Bettenson Staunton, 

Eldest daughter and Coheiress of Thomas Staunton, Esq. 
of Sibton Park, in the County of Suffolk, 

And Annadowne Castle, Ireland, 
and grand-daughter of Gilbert, Viscount Barnard, of 
Raby Castle, 

who departed this Life February 12, 1811, iEtat 74. 

In the blameless life of this excellent Woman was 
Pourtrayed the beautiful character of a sincere Christian : 
She was religious without Austerity; 

Pious without Enthusiasm; Charitable without 
Ostentation; Patient and resigned under great Sufferings, 
Firm in Faith and pure in Heart; 

“ Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven” 

This votive Tablet, sacred to the memory of one so 
Justly loved and so deeply lamented, Is affectionately 
Reared by the Gratitude and Weeping Friendship 
Of her faithful and adopted Child, 

Anna Maria Bentley. 

In the same Vault rest the Remains of her half sister, 
Elizabeth Catherine, wife of James Cumberland Bentley, 
Esq. who died March 10, 1810, iEtat 62. 




MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 


79 


Here lie the mortal Remains of 
Mrs. Mary Marshall, 

Wife of Capt. Josiah Marshall, 

Bom 3d October, 1781. Died 17th January, 1808. 


In Memory of 
Mrs. Mary Arnold, 

Who departed this Life, the 23d day of August, 1807, 
Aged 65 years. 

By active Exertions in the Service of her Friends and 
Neighbours, and of all in Poverty or Distress, she 
rendered her Life extensively useful; for when unable 
to afford assistance or relief herself, she cheerfully 
condescended to solicit the aid of others. 

“ Go and do thou likewise.” 


In a Vault in this Church are deposited the Remains of 
Ann Hewitt, 

The Child of William Kellitt, and Deborah Hewitt, 

Of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, who departed this Life on the 
14th of November, 1806, 

Having on that day completed her Seventh year. 

As with despair thy Parents saw disease, 

With’ring a form by Nature made to please, 

Llope glanced to Britain with reviving smile 
And promis’d health in Britain’s happier Isle. 

Alas ! this Marble, but records how vain, 

Their anxious hopes, and speaks their heartfelt pain. 
They long will mourn, yet happy who like you, 

In life’s pure morn shall bid the world adieu. 


The following Inscriptions are on Flat Stones on the 
Floor of the Church . 

Here lies the Body of 
Humphrey Wanley, 

Library Keeper to the Right Hon. Robert and Edward 
Earls of Oxford, &c. 

Who died on the 6th day of July, mdccxxvi, 

In the 55th year of his age. 




80 


THE OLD CHURCH. 


Here lies the body of 
Richard Lloyd, Esq. 

Son of Sir Richard Lloyd, Judge of the Admiralty, 
and Brother of Sir Nathaniel Lloyd, 

1742. 


Here lies the body of Robert Frances, 
Late of this Parish, 

Who departed this Life on the 22d of Feb. 1766. 


Here are deposited the Remains of 
Mr. William O’Brien, 

Who died November the 7th 1766, aged 44 years. 


In Memory of 
Henrietta Maria, 

Second daughter of Sir Charles Asgill, Bart. 
Who died April 1790, aged 22. 


In Memory of 
Daniel M‘Gilchriste, 
of this Parish, 

Died March the 16th, 1783, aged 64. 


To the Memory of 

Josias Calmady, Esq. of the County of Devon, 
Who died in 1756, aged 95. 


Here lies interred the body of 
The Right Hon. Lady Abigail Hay, 
Fourth Daughter of the Right Hon. George Earl of 
Kinnoul, who departed this Life, July 7, 1785, 
aged 60. 


There is a long Latin inscription on a flat stone, in the 
western entrance, to the Memory of 

Edward Gwynn, Esq. 

Of the Family of Gwynn, of North Wales, 
Deputy Custos Brevium of the Court of Common Pleas, 
Died 1649, aged 75. 









MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 


81 


The following Inscriptions are in the Churchyard. 


Samuel Ellis, ... 1678 

Claudius de Crespigny, Esq. a French Refugee, 1695 
Maria de Vierville, his wife, - 1708 

Betsey, wife of Philip Champion Crespigny, 1772 
Mr. Robert Knight, - - 1719 

As i xvas, so are yea 
and as i am 
So shall yea be. 

Frances, Wife of John Stanesby, aged 70, - 1720 

Elizabeth Barefoot of St. Martin’s in the Fields, 1721 
John Aubrey Hill, - - 1729 

Anna Head, - 1740 


On entering the Churchyard by the gate on the South 
side, a large altar tomb will be observed on the left hand, 
erected to the memory of the Family of Deschamps, one 
of whom, viz. John Deschamps, was Churchwarden of 


this Parish in 1741.* 

John Liddiard, - 1741 

John Dowyer, Carver, - - 1741 

Captain James Desmarette, - - 1743 

John Towers, Esq. - - 1744 

Joan, Wife of Edmund Stouel, aged 77, - 1745 

Frances Pennington, - - 1745 

George Hume, Cordwainer to Geo. II. - 1748 

Mrs. Frances Wagg, - 1749 

Ormond Tomson, Esq. Capt. R. N. - 1753 

Elizabeth Adams, - - 1752 

Elizabeth Hurley, - - - 1765 

Mrs. Ann Nugent, - - 1768 

Rev. Nicholas Robert, a native of France, - 1766 

Lieut. Peter Foubert, - - 1766 

John Riddell, Surgeon, - - 1767 


* The Reader will scarcely be able to repress a smile when he 
is informed, that this Churchwarden's memory is perpetuated by 
contributions from various tenants of this abode of frail mortality j 
a number of old tombstones having been cut up and used for the 
foundation of this Tomb : parts of several different inscriptions 
are still legible. 


82 


THE OLD CRURCHYARD. 


James Ferguson, F. R. S. “ who blessed with a fine 
natural genius, by unwearied application (without 
a master), attained the sciences of Astronomy 
and Mechanics, which he taught with singular 


success and reputation. He was modest, sober, 
humble, and religious, and his works will immor¬ 
talize his memory, when this small monument is 
no more. He died Nov. 16, 1776, aged 66.” 

Isabel, his wife, - 1773 

James their eldest son, aged 24, - 1772 

Christopher Nettleton, aged 56 - - 1775 

Rev. Francis Lawrence Cowley, - 1777 

Mary, Wife of Richard Shadwell, Esq^ - 1777 

Adam Smith, - 1778 

Joseph Burgess, Gent. - - 1779 

Frances, Relict of the Rev. George Arrowsmith, 1786 
William Kingsbury, Gent, of Bungay, - 1788 

The Rev. Charles Wesley, aged 80, - 1788 

Mrs. Eleanor Williams, - - 1791 

Elizabeth Baroness 0‘Brady, - - 1791 

William Martin, - 1794 

Thomas Browne, - - - 1794 

Frances Blair, - 1800 

Scipio Lowry, - - 1801 

John Cable, - 1803 

Louisa Loveday, - 1806 

Elizabeth Loveday, - - 1807 

Ann, First wife of William Child, - 1807 

Maria, Second wife of the above William Child, 1808 
Henry Matthews, - - 1810 


Diana Gertrude Wilson, Daughter and only Child 
of Sir Giffin Wilson of Stratford Place, and 
Woodburn House, Bucks, one of the Masters of 
the High Court of Chancery, who died the 11th of 
June 1827, in the 22d year of her age. Also 
Harriet, Lady Wilson, Mother of the above, 
and the Wife of the above Sir Giffin Wilson, 
and youngest daughter of the late Lieut. Gen. 
George Hotham, of Binfield, Berks, who died on 
the 30th of April, 1828, aged 52 years. 


MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS. 83 

Valentine Howell, Principal Watch-House Keeper 
24 years. This Stone is erected as a tribute of 
respect, by the Serjeants and Watchmen of this 
Parish, Feb. 13, 1829. 

Mrs. Christian Brown, (the Mother of Nicholas 
Brown, Esq. Commissioner of His Majesty’s Vic¬ 
tualling-Office) who died Dec. 15, 1799, aged 75. 

Also the Remains of the said Nicholas Brown, 
who died on the 10th day of June 1830, aged 
70 years. 


In the Crypt or Vault underneath the Church are 
Deposited the Remains of several Members 
of the Portland Family , including 

William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, 
The late Duke, 

Who departed this Life, October 30, 1809, aged 71. 


The population of this parish having progressively 
increased during a period of 50 years, in conse¬ 
quence of the extension of building; it became a 
matter of serious necessity to do something in aid 
of the accommodation demanded for the services 
of the established religion. The Church, erected 
when a few straggling houses constituted the whole 
of the habitations in the Parish, was insignificantly 
small, and totally inadequate to the wants of the 
parishioners ; it was, however, situated not very 
Jar distant from the centre of the parish. Its 
insufficiency had been a topic of general remark, 
and various designs and proposals had been made 




84 


CHURCHES. 


for the erection of a structure correspondent with 
the number and wealth of the inhabitants. About 
the year 1770, the late Mr. Portman, offered to 
present the Parish with a piece of ground on the 
North side of Paddington street, gratuitously, on 
condition they should build a church on it, but if 
they did not build it, they were to pay him 3000/.; 
and the late Sir William Chambers, at the desire of 
the Select Vestry, made a design for the building, 
which possessed great merit; but after much deli¬ 
beration and controversy, it was determined that 
their funds at that particular juncture, would not 
warrant the expenditure of so large a sum as would 
be required for this purpose; the design was 
therefore abandoned, and the 3000/. paid to Mr. 
Portman for his land, which was consecrated for 
the purposes of burial, in 1772. The late Duke 
of Portland about the same time liberally offered 
5000/. towards building a Church on the site of 
Upper Harley Street, and this offer was also lost 
to the Parish. The increase of Chapels in the 
Parish; some erected with the consent of the 
Duke of Portland (the patron), others without it, 
more or less varying from the forms of the Church 
of England, seemed imperiously to call upon the 
Vestry to use some exertions to provide more 
efficient religious accommodation ; but the various 
opinions which agitated the individuals composing 
that body, defeated every attempt at magnificence 
of design, while the necessity of providing a burial 
ground (situated at St. John’s Wood), which 
had been purchased of Henry Samuel Eyre, Esq. 
pursuant to an Act passed 46 Geo. III., and 
enclosing it, erecting a minister’s and sexton’s 
houses, and a chapel on the spot, absorbed a large 
portion of the money raised by way of Church rate. 
The following Letter which appeared in the Gentle¬ 
man’s Magazine for July, 1807, at a time when 
the population amounted to above 70,000, will 


CHURCHES. 85 

exhibit the real necessity which existed for the 
erection of a New Parochial Edifice. 

To the Editor. 

July , 1807. 

Sir, —“ I was lately called upon to visit a parish 
church towards the North-west end of the town. 
It is a very small edifice, much smaller than chapels 
of ease generally are; I believe I may say it is 
the smallest place of worship attached to the Church 
of England, in the metropolis. Small, however, 
as it is, it is the only church belonging to the 
largest and most opulent parish in this capital, or 
in any part of His Majesty’s dominions— a parish 
which, on the lowest computation, contains 70,000 
souls. There is no font for baptism, no room for 
depositing the dead bodies on tressels, after the 
usual way, no aisle to contain them. They are 
placed in the most indecent manner on the pews. 
At the time I visited this scandal to our church 
and nation, there were no fewer than five corpses 
placed in the manner described; eight children, 
with their sponsors, &c. to be christened; and five 
women to be churched; all within these contracted 
dimensions. A common basin was set upon the 
communion-table for the baptisms, and the children 
ranged round the altar; but the godfathers and 
godmothers in pews, in so confused and disorderly 
a manner, that it was impossible for the minister 
to see many of them, or address and require them 
to make the responses, which the Rubrick directs. 
Not to mention the danger of the dead and the 
living being thus confined together, and the pecu¬ 
liarly delicate situation of women immediately 
after child-birth; all reverence for the sacrament 
of baptism; all solemn and awful reflections from 
hearing one of the finest services ever composed, 
and on an occasion the most interesting to the 


86 


CHURCHES. 


heart that can be imagined, are entirely done away, 
and the mind filled with horror and disgust. 

A Constant Reader.” 

The following article also appeared in the British 
Review, May, 1813, art. 21, p. 375.—“ It is indeed 
affecting, when we view the metropolis from a 
neighbouring eminence, to observe that portion of 
it inhabited by the greatest number of legislators, 
the greatest number of the wealthy and the well- 
educated, that part which is inhabited by those 
who hold the highest offices in church and state, 
wearing the appearance of a quarter appropriated 
to persons under sentence of excommunication: 
the city rich in ecclesiastical structures; the west 
end of the town presenting a tiresome length of 
street, with scarcely a single edifice appropriated 
to religion ascending from amidst the vast mass of 
inhabitation.” 

In the arrangement of the Crown land in Mary- 
le-bone Park, the late Mr. White (architect to the 
Duke of Portland) had previously suggested a site 
for a spacious and dignified parochial edifice; the 
necessity of which had in 1810 appeared so urgent, 
that Mr. Nash, in the plan made by him, described 
a building of that nature ; and chose as a situation, 
the centre of a circus to be constructed at the end 
of Portland Place ; and the Vestry having received 
a communication* from the Secretary to the Trea- 

Treasury Chambers , Aug. 23, 1811. 

* Sir, —I have received Mr. Perceval’s directions, in conse¬ 
quence of the communication you had with him, this morning-, to 
acquaint you, that it is his intention to recommend to His Royal 
Highness the Prince Regent, to make a gift to the Parish of St. 
Mary-le-bone of a piece of land, in Harley Field, of sufficient ex¬ 
tent to build a chapel of as large dimensions as may be deemed 
necessary for the accommodation of the Parish in that part of it. 

1 have the honour to be, Sin, 

Your very faithful humble Servant, 
GEORGE HARRISON. 


To the Rev. Dr. IJeslop. 


CHURCHES. 


87 

sury, and believing that there was an intention to 
confer upon them this site, together with five acres 
of land to surround their projected building, applied 
for and obtained an Act of Parliament for the 
diversion of the New Road; no sooner however 
were their efforts attended with success, but dif¬ 
ficulties were interposed and new portions of land 
pointed out. An Act was however passed in the 
Session of 1810-11, intituled 46 An Act to enable 
the Vestrymen of the Parish of St. Mary-le-bone, 
in the County of Middlesex, to build a new Parish 
Church, and two or more Chapels; and for other 
purposes thereto,” by which all the former acts 
were repealed, and new powers given to the Vestry¬ 
men and their successors (who derive their authority 
from an Act of the 35th of Geo. III.) to purchase 
lands not exceeding ten acres, for the above pur¬ 
poses ; and in which there was a Clause, 46 providing 
that no sum shall be given for any one site for the 
said Church or Chapels exceeding 6000/. About 
the end of 1812, Mr. White, Jun. the District 
Surveyor of the Parish, presented the Vestry with 
a design for a double church, upon a new principle, 
having for its object the accommodating a large 
number of persons, and at the same time admitting 
a magnificence of exterior; which design was meant 
as an accompaniment to his father’s plan for the 
improvement of Mary-le-bone Park. 

Shortly after the delivery of the design above 
mentioned, the Vestry offered premiums by public 
advertisement to architects, as they had done in 
the year 1770, for plans and elevations of a parish 
church: but about a fortnight previous to the time 
of receiving such plans and elevations from the 
artists, they gave public notice that the designs 
were not to be proceeded with; it should appear, 
on account of the difficulties which had arisen in 
obtaining the ground which the Lords of the 
Treasury had proposed to grant them. A triangular 


CHURCHES. 


88 

piece of ground was. however, granted to the Parish 
by the Treasury, on the south side of the New Road 
near Nottingham Place, and the Vestry proceeded 
to erect a Chapel capable of containing a consider¬ 
able number of persons; the foundation was laid on 
the 5th of July, 1813, and the fabric was proceeded 
with nearly to its completion. At that period, 
however, the work was stopped, and the Vestry 
came to a resolution to convert the intended chapel 
into a parochial church. This occasioned a con¬ 
siderable alteration to be made in the original 
design, and particularly in regard to the exterior 
of the building. The principal front, next the 
New Road, underwent a very important change, 
a more extended portico and a steeple were sub¬ 
stituted for the former design (which consisted of 
an Ionic portico of four columns, surmounted by a 
group of figures and a cupola); and other alterations 
were made in order to give the edifice an appearance 
more analogous to the character of a Church. 



PARISH CHURCH. 


89 


THE PARISH CHURCH. 


This church is one of the handsomest structures 
of the kind in the metropolis. It was designed by 
the late Thomas Hardwicke, Esq. who in this, and 
other of his works, has proved himself a worthy 
disciple of his master, Sir William Chambers. The 
north front, which is extremely rich and elegant, is 
seen from York Gate, Regent’s Park, the church 
being situated on the south side of the New Road. 
This front consists of a handsome winged portico of 
the Roman Corinthian order, surmounted by a 
tower. The portico is composed of eight columns, 
six in the front and two in flank, raised on a flight 
of steps, and sustaining an entablature and pedi¬ 
ment, the architecture after the Pantheon ; within 
the portico are three lintelled entrances, surmounted 
by cornices and two arched windows ; above the 
central doorway is a panel, bearing the following 
inscription:— 

This Church was erected at the Expence of the Parishioners, 
And Consecrated IV. February, MDCCCXVII. 

The Rev. Archdeacon Heslop, D. D. Minister. 


^ Churchwardens. 
Sidesmen. 


The Duke of Portland 
Sir James Graham, Bart. 


George Allen 
John Russell 


Above this is a long panel designed for sculpture, 
which has never been set up the ceiling of the 
portico is panelled, each panel containing an 
expanded flower. The wings have no windows on 
their northern front, the angles are guarded by 
pilasters, and the flanks are enriched with two 

* It is to be regretted, that the appropriate bas-relief, which 
was proposed to represent the Entry of Our Saviour into Jerusalem, 
should not have been placed in this panel ; as an ornament of that 
kind well executed, would have added much to the grandeur of 
this front. 


90 


PARISH CHURCH. 


columns. The entablature continued from the 
portico, and surmounted by an attic and balustrade 
constitutes the finish to the entire building. The 
tower is in three stories ; the first is rusticated, and 
forms a plinth to the elevation, it is finished with a 
cornice, and has a dial in each face ;* it supports a 
circular story, which has a peristyle of twelve Corin¬ 
thian columns, sustaining an entablature, upon 
which rises the third story, a circular temple raised 
on a stylobate of three steps, and pierced with 
arched openings ; to the piers between the arches, 
are attached eight caryatidal statues of angels, 
supporting an entablature and cornice which is 
broken in the intervals between the statues. The 
elevation is crowned with a spherical dome, and 
finished with a small pedestal, sustaining a vane. 
The east and west sides of the church are uniform ; 
they are made into two stories by a plain course; 
each story has five windows, the iower are slightly 
arched, the upper lofty, with arched heads, besides 
one window in the returns of the wings. The south 
front consists of a centre, flanked by two wings, 
which project diagonally from the building, being 
formed at the angles, which are cut off. The wings 
contain windows corresponding with the church, m 
their sides and the eastern niche a doonvay, and 
has in its front, wdngs ; they are guarded at the 
angles by pilasters, and the central division has a 
Venetian window. 

The Interior is approached from the north front 
by a circular vestibule, formed in the basement 
story of the tower, and two lobbies at the sides of 
it, which contain stairs to the galleries, and by an 
entrance in the south-eastern wing. The sides and 
north end are occupied by two spacious tier of 

* A curious error has been made by the artist who painted the 
dial plate, which faces the south, the Numerals indicating the hour 
of Nine , being transposed, two Elevens are consequently exhi¬ 
bited. 


PARISH CHURCH. 


91 


galleries, with panelled fronts, supported by slender 
iron columns, having reeded shafts, and leaved 
capitals ; to those of the lower tier are also attached 
modillions ; the shafts are bronzed, and the capitals 
gilt. The altar, which is at the south end of the 
church, has a mahogany screen, enriched with four 
Ionic pilasters, between which are the usual inscrip¬ 
tions, and a painting of the Holy Family by West, 
presented by the artist to the parish ; a gallery 
above, contains seats for the charity children, and 
the organ. As originally constructed, there was an 
arched opening in the centre of the instrument, 
occupied by a transparency on canvas, a copy of 
one of the painted windows in St. George’s Chapel, 
Windsor, from the design of Mr. West; the sub¬ 
ject, 66 the Angel appearing to the Shepherdsthe 
principal figure in the angelic group had the face 
of a child, with the thigh of a giant. The greatest 
absurdity, however, consisted in the erection of 
private galleries at the sides of the organ, which 
were fitted with chairs, and fire-places, and in their 
openings to the church, so exactly resembled the 
private boxes which look upon the proscenium of 
our theatres, that the spectator might almost sup¬ 
pose he was in a building which originally had that 
destination. 

In the summer of 1826, some judicious altera¬ 
tions took place; the organ was reduced to the 
customary form and size, the transparency being 
removed; the galleries were made to sweep round 
to the instrument, thus causing the destruction of 
the private boxes, the space formerly occupied by 
which, being filled with seats for the children of the 
National School; the theatrical appearance is in 
consequence removed, and the building partakes 
more of the sacred character to which it is appro¬ 
priated. The ceiling is curved at the sides, the 
horizontal portion made into panels by bundles of 
rods bound together with ribbons ; in the centre is 


92 


PARISH CHURCH. 


a large expanded flower. The pulpit and desks are 
constructed of mahogany, and are situated on oppo¬ 
site sides of the area of the building. The former 
is elegantly carved; it rests on a single pillar, 
which spreads at the capital, and is finished with a 
group of cherubim heads. In front of the upper 
northern gallery, are the royal arms and supporters 
of George IV. neatly carved in oak. The font, 
which is placed beneath the northern gallery, is 
a handsome circular basin, of veined marble, stand¬ 
ing upon a pillar of the same material. The portico 
and tower, together with the cornices, attic, &c. 
are stone; the walls are brick, covered with stucco. 
The cella or body of the church, is 86 feet 6 inches 
in length, and 60 feet in breadth. Its exterior 
height, to the coping of the balustrades, is 52 feet 
5 inches: its breadth to the middle of the flanking 
columns is 96 feet. The expence of the building, 
furnishing, &c. was nearly 80,000/. the congrega¬ 
tion accommodated, including the charity children, 
is between three and four thousand persons. 

The present Rector is the Rev. J. Hume Spry, 
D. D. a Prebendary of Canterbury, who was insti¬ 
tuted by the Crown in 1825, on the death of Luke 
Heslop the late Rector.* 

Curates :—The Rev. Bryant Burgess, M. A. 

The Rev. John Moore, M. A. 

Clerk and Sexton, Mr. William George Paux,f 


* The following 1 anecdote of the liberality of the present Rector 
has come to the knowledge of the compiler of this volume. There 
being no Rectory House, The Rev. Dr. Spry, at the commencement 
of the year 1832, offered to purchase a splendid mansion situated 
in York Terrace, on the Crown estate (which had then lately 
become vacant), and to present it to the Parish, to he used as the 
residence of all future Rectors, provided the Crown would concede 
the ground rent. The Government, however, did not consider 
itself justified in acceding to this proposal. 

t This gentleman is the first Parish Clerk who has personally 
officiated, during the last 70 years, the situation having been 
generally presented to the Duke of Portland’s Steward, whose 
duty was done by Deputy. 


LIST OF MONUMENTS. 93 

appointed by the Crown the 19th of August, 1826, 
on the resignation of Reynier Tyler, Esq., who was 
one of the Poor Knights of Windsor, and had been 
originally appointed to that office by His Grace the 
Duke of Portland. 

Against the side walls are sculptured memorials 
on tablets of white marble, many of which are 
neatly, and even classically designed ; having the 
arms beautifully emblazoned. 


List of Persons , to whose Memory Tablets are erected 
in this Church. 

North Wall. 

Richard Cosway, Esq. R. A. Principal Painter to 
H. R. H. George Prince of Wales, - 1821 

William Fairlie, Esq. formerly of Calcutta, - 1825 

The Rev. Doctor John Vardill, Regius Professor of 
Divinity in King’s College, New York, - 1811 

Urban Vigors, Esq. Lieut.-Gen. in the Hon. East 
India Company’s Service, - 1815 

Thomas Wane, Esq. - 1824 

Claud Russell, Esq. formerly Member of Council 
of Fort St. George in the East Indies, - 1820 

Charles Clarius Fitzgerald, - - 1822 

East wall. 

Benjamin Oakley, Jun. - - 1815 

He was interred in the Church of Tooting Gra- 
veney, in Surrey, and removed thence (by a 
Faculty from the Bishop of Winchester), and 
deposited in the Family Vault beneath this 
monument, 15th Feb. 1817. 



94 PARISH CHURCH. 

Colonel Hugh Henry Mitchell of the 51st Regt. of 
Foot, who married 3d July, 1804, Lady Harriet 
Isabella Elizabeth Somerset, Daughter of Henry 
5th Duke of Beaufort, and died April 20th, 1817 

Margaret, Countess of Clonmell, Relict of John, 

Earl of Clonmell, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland, 1829 

Robert Powney, Esq. - - 1817 

John Bebb, Esq. of Gloucester Place, - 1830 

Joseph Fernandez Madrid, Envoy Extraordinary 
and Minister Plenipotentiary from the Republic 
of Columbia to His Britannic Majesty 1830 

Major Arthur Balfour, of the East-India Company’s 
Bengal Service, - - 1817 

Clementina, Wife of Vice Admiral Sir Pulteney 
Malcolm, K. C. B. and Daughter of the Hon. 
Fullerton Elphinstone, - - 1830 

Isabella Mary Fairlie, died 23d January, 1830, also 
John Fairlie, her infant son, died January 3, 1829 

Benjamin Howton, Esq. upwards of 60 years a resi¬ 
dent of this Parish, - - 1819 

Anna Maria, Wife of George Carrington, of Mis- 
senden Abbey, in the County of Bucks, - 1829 

Edmund Alexander Howard, Esq. of York Place, 1827 

Lieut. Gen. William St. Leger, who served his 
Country many years in America, Europe and 
Asia, - 1818 

Lieut. Gen. Robert Nicholson of the Hon. East 
India Company’s Service at Bombay, - 1821 

William Gordon, who died Nov. 1, 1809, and 
Charles Mackinnon, who died April 14, 1824, 
both sons of the late Stephen Haven, Esq. and 
Lydia his wife. 

Rachel, wife of Col. I. B. Taylor, - 1814 

Augusta Elizabeth, Wife of John Kirkland, Jun. 

Esq. of Baker Street, Portman Square, and eldest 
daughter of Major General J. A. Vesey, - 1824 


LIST OF MONUMENTS. 


95 


Charlotte Frances, Fourth daughter of Maj. Gen. 

J. A. Vesey, who died 3d July, 1824, and Mar¬ 
garet, youngest daughter of John Kirkland, Esq. 
of Glasgow, who died 26th Feb. 1823. 

Dona Maria Brigida de Faria e Lacerda, Wife of 
of Sir John Campbell, K. C. T. S., Lieut. Col. 
in the British and Maj. Gen. in the Portuguese 
Service, who died Jan. 22, 1821. Also John 
David Campbell, son of the above, who died 28th 
May, 1824, aged 3years and 9 months. 

David Lyon, Esq. - - 1827 

Colonel Thomas Matthias Weguelin, of the Hon. 

East India Company’s Service, Bengal Establish¬ 
ment, 23d May, 1828. Also George St. Clair, 

3d Son of the above. 


West Wall. 

Elizabeth Mary Booth, - - 1820 

William and Martha Joachim, who were many years 
Resident in this Parish, and whose Remains are 
deposited beneath a tomb in the cemetery on the 
South side of Paddington Street, (without date). 

Sir James Sibbald, Bart. 

Edward Ravenscroft, Esq. of Portland Place, 1828 
Lettice, Second Daughter of the late Thomas 
Patten, Esq. of Bank Hall, - 1817 

John Cotton, Esq. late of the Bengal Civil Service, 1828 
John M‘Camon, Esq. late of Gloucester Place, 1808 
Emma Catherine Bampfylde, only Child of Sir 
George Warwick Bampfylde, Bart, and Dame 
Penelope his wife, - - 1825 

Lieut.-Colonel Richard Fitzgerald, of the 2d Life 
Guards, who fell in the 43d year of his age, in 
the Field of Waterloo ; and of Georgiana Isabella 
Simha D’Aguilar, his Widow, who died 2d Dec* 
1821, aged 63. 


96 


PARISH CHURCH. 


Gilbert Hall, Esq. formerly a Surgeon in the Service 
of the Hon. East India Company, at Calcutta, and 
late of Manchester Street, - 1820 

Sir William Fraser, Bart. F. R.S. one of the Elder 
Brethren of the Trinity House, and formerly a 
Commander in the Hon. East India Company’s 
Naval Service, - - 1819 

James Sutherland, Esq. formerly of Bombay, 1828 

Alexander George Mackay, of Bagthorpe Hall in 
the County of Norfolk, - - 1827 

Mary Swinney, Spinster, - - 1826 

General Robert Morse, late Inspector General of 
Fortifications, Jan. 28, 1818. Also his Wife, 
Sophia, daughter of Peter Godin, Esq. of South- 
gate, who died Jan. 11, 1818. 

Maria Mackenzie, - - 1821 

Mrs. Martha Udny, widow of Robert Udny, for¬ 
merly of Teddington, Esq. and Sub-Governess of 
Her late Royal Highness, The Princess Charlotte 
of Wales. In the midst of jarring interests, she 
secured the respect and affection of her Royal 
Pupil, and the approbation of His Majesty. She 
was born in 1761, and died 1st of Sept. 1831. 

In the Vestry . 

Rev. Luke Heslop, D. D. 

Archdeacon of Bucks, and Rector of St. Mary-le-bone, 
Died 23d of June, 1825, aged 86 years. 


In the spacious Vaults underneath this Church , are 
deposited the Remains of many of the Nobility and 
Gentry, among whom are the following Eminent 
Persons. 

Matthew Montagu, Baron Rokeby of Armagh in the 
Kingdom of Ireland, and a Baronet of Great Britain, 
who died Sept. 1, 1831. 




LIST OF MONUMENTS. 


97 

Augusta, Countess of Glasgow, Daughter of James 
Hay, 14th Earl of Errol. Her Ladyship was married 
on the 4th of March, 1788, to George Boyle, Earl of 
Glasgow, and died on the 23d of July, 1822. 

The Hon. Augustus Phipps, Brother to the Earl of 
Mulgrave. 

A Child of the Earl of Munster. 

Lord Viscount Kelburne. 

James Sutherland, 5th Baron Duffus, in the County of 
Elgin, in the Peerage of Scotland, and a Baronet of 
Nova Scotia. The title was restored to His Lordship 
by Act of Parliament, in 1826, the Peerage having 
been forfeited by the attainder of Kenneth, 3d Lord, 
in 1715. His Lordship died on the 30th of Jan. 1827, 
when his honours devolved on his distant kinsman, 
Benjamin Dunbar, the present Lord. 

John Henry Upton, Viscount Templetown. 

The Viscountess Templetown. This Lady was daughter 
of John Montagu, 5th Earl of Sandwich, and was 
married Oct. 7, 1796, to John Henry Upton, Baron 
Templetown, who was created a Viscount, March, 
1806. Her Ladyship died 4th of Oct. 1824. 

The Right Hon. Sir Geo. Warrender, Bart, of Lochend, 
East Lothian, N. B. was born 5th Dec. 1782; and 
inherited the title, as the fourth Baronet, at the 
decease of his father, in Juno 1799. 

Brownlow Bertie Mathew, Esq. 

Algernon Percy, first Earl of Beverley. His Lordship 
was the 2d son of Hugh, first Duke of Northumber¬ 
land (who was created Baron Louvaine of Alnwick, 
County of Northumberland, in the Peerage of Great 
Britain, with remainder to Algernon Percy, his 2d 
son, and the heirs male of his body). He succeeded 
the Duke his father in the Barony, in 1786, and was 
advanced to the dignity of Earl of Beverley, County 
of York, in 1790. His Lordship was born 21st Jan. 
1750, and died 21st Oct. 1830. 

General Cowell. 


F 


98 


PARISH CHURCH. 


Dowager Lady Mary Knightley. 

John Hugh, eldest son of John Gibson Lockhart, Esq. 
and Grandson of Sir Walter Scott, Bart. He was a 
favourite child of the late lamented Baronet, who 
dedicated his “ Tales of a Grandfather’’ to him, under 
the title of Hugh Little John, Esq. He died at his 
father’s house in the Regent’s Park, in his 11th year. 

Lieut. General Malcolm Grant. 

Admiral Isaac Prescott. 

Two Children of Sir Robert Sheffield. 

Sir Henry Chamberlain, Bart. This gentleman filled the 
situations of Consul-General and Charge d’Affaires 
in Brazil, and was created a Baronet 22d Feb. 1828. 
He died July, 31, 1829. 

Sir Murray Maxwell, Bart. Capt. R. N. 

James Northcote, Esq. R. A. 

Here is also the Family Vault of Catherine, Countess of 
Pembroke and Montgomery; in which are deposited 
the Remains of her Father, His Excellency the late 
Count Simon Woronzow, who died in 1832. 


In the vestibule on the east side is the following inscrip¬ 
tion:—Thomas Verley, late of this Parish, gave £o0. 
the Interest to be given in Bread, viz. Twelve Penny 
Loaves to the Poor, every Sabbath Day for ever, 1692. 

The Rectory district is bounded on the south, 
by Oxford Street from Vere Street to Orchard 
Street; on the west, by and including the east sides 
of Orchard Street, Portman Square, Baker Street, 
and Park Road; on the north, by and including 
the south side of Primrose Hill Road ; and on the 
east, in part by the parish of St. Pancras, and by 
the south-east quadrant of the circle in the Re¬ 
gent’s Park, formed by the roads running southward 
and eastward from the said circle ; and continuing 
southward includes the west sides of Devonshire 
Place, Wimpole Street, and Vere Street; 



LOCAL ACTS. 


99 


Acts of Parliament relative to the District 
Churches . 

By the provisions of an Act of Parliament, passed 
April 6, 1821, the Vestrymen were empowered to 
agree with the Commissioners acting under the 
Acts 58 Geo. III. c. 45, and 59 Geo. III. c. 134, 
both Acts for “ Building and promoting the build¬ 
ing of additional Churches in populous Parishes,” 
and they accordingly agreed with the said Commis¬ 
sioners to procure sites for four District Churches, 
and to pay the sum of 20,000/. towards building 
such Churches; and the Lords of the Treasury 
having granted a site for the building of a District 
Church, on the east side of Regent Street, the said 
Vestry purchased a site in Wyndham Place, of 
Edward Berkeley Portman, Esq. ; they also pur¬ 
chased another site situate at the corner of Stafford 
Street, and Great James Street, all in the said 
parish of St. Mary-le-bone. By this Act, they 
also agreed to provide another site in the eastern 
part of the parish, to be approved of by the Lords 
Commissioners, and the Lord Bishop of the diocese. 
It was also enacted that the Parish should be under 
the jurisdiction and Visitation of the Lord Bishop 
of London, and of the Archdeacon of Middlesex 
for the time being (the same having been hitherto 
extra-episcopal). It was also provided that the 
Parish of St. Mary-le-bone should remain one 
entire and undivided Parish, for all civil and other 
purposes, save and except as regarding Ecclesias¬ 
tical purposes. It was likewise stipulated that five 
thousand pounds should be paid to the Commis¬ 
sioners within twelve months after the foundation 
of each District Church should be laid. The Com¬ 
missioners with the consent of the Bishop, were to 
assign a particular District to each and every one 
of the District Churches, which was to be confirmed 
f 2 


L. c* G. 


100 


LOCAL ACTS. 


by his Majesty in Council, and such division or 
District to be under the immediate care of the 
respective District Minister, with respect to his 
Ecclesiastical duties, excepting the burial fees, 
which are made payable to the Vestrymen of the 
said Parish, in like manner as burial fees at the 
Parish Church. All tithes, and other emoluments 
to continue and belong to the Incumbent of the 
Parish Church, as if no such division of District 
had taken place, or as if this Act had not passed. 
The Vestrymen, with consent of the Bishop, to fix 
pew rents. Each District Minister to appoint 
clerk and pew-openers to his own Church, and to 
remove the same as he may think fit, subject to the 
approbation of the Patron. Commissioners, with 
consent of the Bishop of London, to assign propor¬ 
tion of pew-rents to the Minister of each District 
Church. To appoint salary to clerk. If stipend 
to Minister does not amount to 500/. then Vestry¬ 
men to make up the same to that sum. Distinct 
account of pews to be kept. Right of Presentation 
to District Churches vested in the Crown. Each 
District Minister to pay yearly 200/. to the Rev. 
Luke Heslop, D. D. the present Minister of the 
Parish, as long as he shall continue to be the 
Incumbent, and after his death the said payment to 
cease, and from thenceforth the sum of 100/. per 
annum to be paid by each District Minister to the 
Incumbent Rector to be thereafter appointed. The 
District Ministers are also prohibited from publish¬ 
ing Banns, or the Solemnization of Marriages and 
Baptisms, the same being directed to be performed 
at the Parish Church, and the fees for the same to 
be paid to the Incumbent Rector. The Parish 
from the date of passing this Act to be deemed a 
Rectory, and the Incumbent Minister thereof shall 
be deemed a Rector. 

By an Act passed July 5, 1825, the Four 
District Churches were to be named severally, St. 


LOCAL ACTS. 


101 


Mary’s ; All Souls ; Christ Church, and Trinity, 
in the Parish of St. Mary-le-bone ; the District 
assigned to each Church was to be called a District 
Rectory, and the Incumbent Ministers respectively 
to be styled District Rectors. They were also em- 
powered to publish Banns, Marry, and Baptize in 
their several Districts, and to perform all other 
parochial functions of a Minister, in the same 
manner, as the Incumbent Rector of St. Mary-le- 
bone, and also to take all fees for the same respec¬ 
tively, save and except with respect to burials. 

By an Act passed, June 14, 1827, the Vestry¬ 
men w ere empow ered to alter the boundary of the 
Parish, so as to include the wdiole piece of ground 
purchased for the site of Trinity Church, of the 
Vestrymen of the parish of St. Pancras. His 
Majesty having granted two slips of ground on the 
east and west sides of the Church, for improving 
the appearance of the same, the said land to be 
vested in the Vestrymen of the said parish, and 
their successors, for ever. By this Act it was also 
declared lawful for the Commissioners of Woods, 
Forests and Land Revenues, for and on behalf of 
His Majesty, to appoint from time to time one 
Churchwarden of the said Parish, a Sidesman, and 
likewise one of the Beadles. 



102 


st. mary’s church. 


ST. MARY’S CHURCH. 

The site of this church, which is situated in 
Wyndham Place, was purchased of Edward Berke¬ 
ley Portman, Esq. The church was built from the 
designs of Sir Robert Smirke, and was consecrated 
January 7, 1824. The principal front, contrary to 
the usual arrangement, is the southern; in the centre 
of which is the portico and tower. In its plan the 
building consists of a nave, or body, with side aisles, 
a portion of the design at the angles being taken 
out of the plan to form vestries and lobbies, whereby 
the body is made longer than the aisles. 

The tower is circular in plan; the elevation is 
made into three stories; the basement has a door¬ 
way with a lintelled architrave, and above it three 
round-headed windows. A portico consisting of 
six Ionic columns and two antae, sustaining an 
entablature and attic, the latter ornamented with 
arched panels instead of a balustrade, sweeps 
round that portion of the tower which projects from 
the main building. Above the parapet the circular 
tower is continued, and forms a stylobate to the 
second story, which has eight semi-columns, of the 
early Corinthian Order, attached to it, with windows 
having arched heads in the spaces between; the 
cornice is finished with a parapet set round with 
Grecian tiles, and upon this story is a pedestal, 
still continuing the same form, having four circular 
apertures for the clock dials, and finished with a 
cornice sustaining a circular temple pierced with 
eight arched openings, the piers between which are 
ornamented with anta?, supporting an entablature, 
cornice, and parapet, the latter set round with 
Grecian tiles, and crowned with a conical dome, on 
the vertex of which is a gilt cross. The remaining 
part of this side of the church is formed into two 
stories by a string course, and finished by a cornice 





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st mary’s church. 


103 

and parapet continued from the portico; the lower 
story contains, on each side the portico, three square 
windows with stone architraves, and the upper story 
the same number of lofty arched windows with 
architraves of stone round the heads, resting, by 
way of impost, on a string course. Within the 
portico there is also an entrance, with a window 
above it in the wall of the church on each of the 
towers. The west front is in like manner made 
into two stories, and also vertically into three divi- 
visions, the lateral ones containing windows, and 
finishing with cornices and parapets as before; the 
central division has three doorways, with lintelled 
heads in its basement, and three arched windows 
above. This division is surmounted with a pedi¬ 
ment to conceal the ridged roof. The north side of 
the church only differs from the south in having 
three more windows in each story in the space 
which is occupied by the tower and portico on the 
side already described. The east front is in three 
divisions, the side ones similar to the western; the 
central division retires behind the line of the front, 
and has a square window divided into three compart¬ 
ments by antse, and finished with a pediment. The 
church is built of brick, except the tower, cornices, 
and other particulars before enumerated. The 
height of this church, from the base to the top of 
the tower, is 135 feet; elevation of the body of the 
church, 42 feet 6 inches ; length of the exterior, 
128 feet; height of the pillars of the portico, 
33 feet. 

THE INTERIOR 

is made into a nave and side aisles. On each side 
the former are square piers, supporting galleries, 
the fronts of which are composed of a cornice and 
attic, which being continued round the whole 
church, divide the elevation into two stories. Upon 
the upper member of the attic are placed at inter¬ 
vals flat square plinths, from which rise six fluted 


104 


st. mary’s church. 

columns, intended for Grecian Doric, on each side 
of the church, sustaining an anomalous entablature, 
on which rests the ceiling. The nave is arched in 
a small segment of a circle; the ceiling of the aisles 
is horizontal; the surface of both is divided into 
square panels. A western gallery extends across 
the church to the depth of two of the intercolumni- 
ations. The altar has a handsome screen of scagliola 
in imitation of various marbles; it is composed of 
an ornamented wall, finished by a cornice and attic, 
and flanked by piers. The central portion, imitating 
Sienna marble (upon which, most strange to say, 
the commandments have not been inscribed), is en¬ 
riched with a square panel of porphyry, surrounded 
by gold mouldings above the altar, between two 
long perpendicular panels of the same materials. 
The piers have Ionic antse, of porphyry, with 
gold capitals ; the architrave and cornice, and the 
attic above the piers, are statuary marble with gold 
mouldings, the latter portions charged with crosses 
in irradiations of gold, and sustain vases supported 
on grouped modillions. The centre of the attic, 
which is Sienna, has a narrow horizontal panel 
enriched with honeysuckles in circles splendidly 
gilt. Above this is the east window; the antae are 
veined marble, and sustain an entablature and 
parapet of the same material. The window is filled 
with stained glass: the subject, the Ascension of our 
Lord; of which, whether for accuracy of drawing, 
propriety of colouring, or felicity of effect, the less 
that is said, the better.* The commandments are 
inserted in gold letters, on a white ground, on that 
portion of the wall not occupied by the screen, 
and the north and south sides of the recess in 
which the altar is situated. The decorations of the 
altar are judicious and appropriate; while the altar 

* This morbid specimen of modern stained glass, was erected 
by means of a private subscription at bl. bs. per head. It is said 
to have cost 250/. 


105 


st mary’s church. 

itself, in extent of railing, is capable of accommo¬ 
dating perhaps the largest number of communicants 
of any church in London : not fewer than twenty- 
six being able commodiously to kneel together. But 
the great defect, not only of the altar in particular, 
but of the whole church, is, the want of even Mil¬ 
ton’s “dim, religious light.” A cloudy or foggy 
day, in the latter months of autumn—to say nothing 
of the season of winter—almost shrouds it in dark¬ 
ness. The pulpit and reading-desk are exactly 
similar: helping not only to wound the eye by their 
stiff and offensive uniformity—and depriving very 
many of the auditors of the gratification of both 
hearing and seeing—but to propagate that into¬ 
lerable error in acoustics , of inducing the sound, 
or voice, to spring from a corner, instead of from 
the centre of parallel lines. The font is situated 
in the front of the altar-rails: it is a handsome 
circular basin, of white marble, standing on a pillar 
of the same material; its situation is, however, 
a very incorrect one. The organ is placed at the 
back of the spacious western gallery, in a hand¬ 
some case. 

The estimate was 20,000/. and the number 
accommodated, according to the Reports of the 
Commissioners, is 1828 persons, which, however, is 
considerably less than the actual number. 

It would have been desirable, if possible, to have 
procured a site for this church in a more central 
part of the District than that which has been as¬ 
signed to it. In short, it should almost seem as if 
the greatest possible pains had been taken to select 
a site, in all respects the most inconvenient for the 
majority of the congregation: it being surrounded 
by streets of worse than a second rate description.* 

* The reader will smile to learn that some of the most classical 
and picturesque names are affixed to streets, of the description 
above alluded to: to wit, Cato Street (memorable for an event 
which will be found described in the subsequent pages) now 

* a 


106 


st. mary’s church. 


If it be said, that the accommodation of the poor 
has been principally consulted, the answer is, the 
poor are always sure to fill the free seats allotted 
to them, wherever the service of the Church of Eng¬ 
land is decently and impressively performed. The 
tower and cupola of this church form a tolerably 
picturesque termination to the view from Cum¬ 
berland Gate, Hyde Park. 

The present Rector is the Rev. Thomas Frognall 
Dibdin, D. D. Chaplain in ordinary to his Majesty,* 
who was instituted on the consecration of the church 
in 1824. 

Curate, the Rev. William Henry Charlton, M. A. 

Assistant Curate, William Henry Millington, 
M. A. 

Clerk, Mr. Joseph Langdon. 

The District assigned to this church is bounded 
on the south by Oxford Street, from Orchard Street 
to Edgware Road; on the west, by the Edgware 
Road; on the north, by and including the south 
side of the New Road, from Edgware Road to 
York Place ; and on the east by and including the 
west side of Orchard Street, Baker Street, and 
York Place. 

called Horace Street ; Virgil Place , Homer Row , NelsonPlace, 
Paradise Row , Pomona Place , and Britannia Gardens ! ! 

* The numerous splendid works that have emanated from the 
pen of tins accomplished gentleman and scholar, are so highly ap¬ 
preciated by the learned, and the curious in black letter lore, that 
no extensive library can be said to be complete without possessing 
them ; and when from death, or other circumstances, any valuable 
collection containing these works is brought to the hammer, they 
produce more competition than those of any living author. 


WESTERN NATIONAL SCHOOL. 


107 


The Western National School. 

Supported by Voluntary Contributions. 

The west front of the St. Mary-le-bone Western 
National School House is seen in the annexed 
view of the church. This building was erected 
in the year 1824, the late James Tillard, Esq. 
a private gentleman of Canterbury,* advancing 
4000/. for that purpose, on condition of receiving 
an annuity of 200/. during his life ; and dying in 
1828, he bequeathed the above sum to the Charity. 
The elevation of the principal front of this spacious 
and handsome edifice, is in a corresponding style 
with the church. Here are two extensive school¬ 
rooms, capable of accommodating 600 children, 
viz. 350 Boys, and 250 Girls ; 100 of whom are 
clothed, viz. 50 Girls and 50 Boys, at the expense 
of the Charity. The children are received indis¬ 
criminately from the Districts of St. Mary and 
Christ Church. 

Patron. 

Edward Berkeley Portman, Esq. M. P. 

Patronesses. 

Her Grace The Dow. Duchess of Roxburgh. 

The Rt. Hon. The Dow. Countess of Castle Stuart. 
The Rt. Hon. The Dow. Countess Manvers. 

The Rt. Hon. The Countess Mount-Norris. 

The Rt. Hon. The Dowager Lady Elcho. 

Mrs. Portman. 

President. 

The Right Honourable Lord Kenyon. 

Treasurers. 

Sir Claude Scott, Bart, and Co. 

* The above gentleman also advanced, by way of loan, Ihe sum 
of £20,000. to the Parish, to assist in erecting- the four District 
Churches, which he also bequeathed to the Parish on his death in 
1828, together with the Interest which he had already received. 


108 


WESTERN NATIONAL SCHOOL. 


Honorary Surgeon. 

J. C. Cox, Esq. 33, Montagu Square. 
Schoolmaster and Secretary. —Mr. James Martin. 
Schoolmistress. —Mrs. Felton. 

Collector. 

Mr. Joseph Langdon, 44, Upper York Street. 


Donations and Subscriptions are received by the 
Treasurers, Sir Claude Scott, Bart, and Co., Caven¬ 
dish Square ; also by Messrs. Hoitt, Booksellers, 
Upper Berkeley Street; and Mr. J. Langdon, the 
Collector. 


Hides and Regulations. 

The children are instructed conformably to the 
system of the Central National School in Baldwin’s 
Gardens. 

The children attend Divine Service every Sun¬ 
day morning and afternoon; and a select number 
in the evening. 

Prayers from the Liturgy of the Church of Eng¬ 
land are read daily to the children. 

Each child is admitted on the recommendation 
of a Trustee. 

Any person giving 10/. or upwards, at one pay¬ 
ment, is constituted a Trustee for Life. 

Every person subscribing 1/. annually, to be an 
Annual Trustee. 

A Trustee for Life may recommend any number 
of children, and an Annual Trustee three. 

No child to be admitted under the age of six 
years; nor continued in the school after the age 
of fourteen. 

No child to be admitted who has not had the 
small pox, or been vaccinated. 

Ten Managing Trustees to be elected by ballot, 
at a General Annual Meeting, which is held in 
the month of March. 



WESTERN NATIONAL SCHOOL. 109 

The Patron, Patronesses, President, Vice-Pre¬ 
sidents, and Auditors, shall, together with the ten 
elected Managing Trustees, have the entire direc¬ 
tion of this Charity, until the return of the Annual 
Election ; subject to the control of a General 
Meeting of the Trustees. 

A General Meeting may be called at any time, 
on a requisition signed by ten of the Trustees. 

A Monthly Meeting of the Patron, Patronesses, 
Trustees, &c. is held at the School house, on the 
first Thursday in every month, at 11 o’clock in the 
forenoon, for the admission of children, and for 
general business. Three of whom to form a quo¬ 
rum. 

Two Visitors are appointed monthly at such 
Meeting, who shall have the management of the 
School confided to them for that month. 

An Annual Public Examination to take place 
in the month of May; when all Trustees are ear¬ 
nestly requested to attend. 

Every Lady subscribing, may vote by proxy, to 
be signed by the Lady, and delivered by a Trustee. 


The Ladies Visitors superintend the work and 
discipline of the Girls’ School, in conjunction with 
the Monthly Visitors, but no alterations are made 
in the Rules and Regulations, without the sanction 
of the Monthly Board. 

Applications are continually making for Chil¬ 
dren to be placed in services of different descrip¬ 
tions, and it is gratifying to be informed that those 
children who have left the Schools, are conducting 
themselves in a manner satisfactory to their em¬ 
ployers, and creditable to the School. 



110 


ALL SOULS CHURCH. 


ALL SOULS CHURCH. 

The Ground on which this Church is built, was 
granted to the Parish by the Commissioners for 
building the New Street. The first stone was laid 
on the 18th of Nov. 1822, and it was consecrated 
on the 25th of Nov. 1824. 

With the exception of the steeple and portico, 
the exterior shews a plain stone building, lighted 
by two tier of windows, and finished with a bal- 
lustrated parapet. The former portions are, then, 
the only parts particularly to be described. The 
steeple consists of two portions, a circular tower 
and a cone; the first rests on a flight of steps, and 
is occupied to a considerable portion of its height 
by a peristyle of twelve Ionic columns, sustaining 
the entablature of the order. The capitals are 
highly enriched; from the volutes depend festoons 
of foliage, and between them, attached to the 
abacus, is a cherubim with expanded wings: the 
effect, however, is not pleasing, the exuberance of 
the ornament giving to the capital an appearance 
of clumsiness. Above the entablature of this peri¬ 
style the tower is continued plain to the remainder 
of its height, broken only by the dials. The base 
of the cone, which is situated within the circular 
tower, is surrounded with a peristyle of fourteen 
Corinthian columns sustaining an entablature and 
ballustrades; the remainder of the cone is unbroken; 
the surface is fluted, and to render the point the 
more acute, it is finished with metal. It surely 
would have produced a better effect if the spire 
had terminated in the usual way with a cross: as 
it is, the whole structure has so novel an appearance, 
that to those who have been accustomed to the old 
style of church-towers, the present suffers greatly 
by comparison; its novelty surprises, but does not 



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produce delight. The pointed spire transplanted 
from the country village, and made a finish to a 
shewy street of modern houses, is so out of character, 
that whatever may be the merit of originality dis¬ 
played by Mr. Nash, his design is less pleasing 
than if it had assimilated more closely to the older 
style of church-spires, of the school of Sir C. Wren 
and his followers. The approaches are by two 
doorways in the principal front, and by another 
beneath the lower peristyle, which leads into a 
circular vestibule, lighted by two windows. The 
interior is very pleasing; it is formed more closely 
on the model of the older Churches in the Italian 
style than the generality of the new ones are. The 
west, north, and south sides, and a portion of the 
east end, have galleries attached to them, resting 
on octagonal piers; the residue of the east end is 
occupied by the altar. Above the fronts of the 
galleries rises a colonnade of Corinthian columns 
sustaining an architrave and cornice, on the latter 
of which rests the ceiling of the Church. The 
south and north sides have each eight columns; 
two others are situated on the eastern gallery, and 
two more to correspond on the western. The 
ceiling of the centre division of the Church is 
elliptical, flattened in the centre, the whole surface 
of the cove being enriched with octagonal sunk 
panels. The fronts of the galleries are panelled, 
and are broken at intervals by the plinths of the 
columns, on which are sculptured chaplets in relief. 

The altar is very handsomely ornamented. An 
extensive crimson curtain, tastefully arranged in 
festoons, is drawn up sufficiently to display Mr. 
Westall’s painting of“ Christ crowned with Thorns,” 
exhibited at Somerset House in 1822. Immediately 
beneath this is the altar-table, the whole composition 
being far superior to the general arrangement of 
the altar in Churches. The pulpit and desk are 
placed against the piers sustaining the extreme 


112 


ALL SOULS CHURCH. 


ends of the galleries at the east; the former is 
bracket-shaped, but is not remarkable for beauty 
or ornament. The font is situated, contrary to 
custom, near the altar-rails; it consists of a circular 
basin of marble, sustained on a pillar of the same 
form and material. At the west end is a semi¬ 
circular recess, which contains the organ and its 
gallery. The instrument is contained in a handsome 
case, the design of which consists of a pediment 
between two circular towers, finishing in cupolas; 
on the apex of the former a gilt cross. The ceiling 
of this portion is fluted and radiated. Whatever 
may be the faults resulting from the liberties which 
have been taken with the general style of eccle¬ 
siastical building on the exterior, they are fully 
atoned for by the light and elegant arrangement of 
the inside, and the church-like appearance which 
is given to it by the adherence to the old fashioned 
arrangement. The superior grandeur which results 
from the division of the interior by colonnades into 
nave and aisles, is so apparent, that it is almost to 
be wished that such an arrangement was enforced 
in all the new Churches, by the same authority 
which in other respects has controlled the formation 
of them. The congregation accommodated is 1761. 

The Reverend George Chandler, D C. L. Dean 
of Chichester, is the present Rector, who was in¬ 
stituted in 1825, on the removal of Dr. Spry to the 
Rectory of the Parish. 

Curates:—The Rev. Wm. Lucius Coghlan, M. A. 

The Rev. Henry Latham, M. A. 

Clerk, Mr. John Paux. 

All Souls District is bounded on the south, by 
Oxford Street, from Tottenham Court Road to 
Vere Street; on the west, by and including the 
east sides of Vere Street and Wimpole Street, to 
Great Mary-le-bone Street; and on the north, by 
and including the south sides of Great Mary-le- 
bone Street, (east of Wimpole Street,) New Ca¬ 
vendish Street, and Upper Mary-le-bone Street. 


EASTERN NATIONAL SCHOOL. 


113 


Eastern National School. 

This School was instituted in 1824, for receiv¬ 
ing children of the indigent inhabitants of the All 
Souls and Trinity Districts. The school-house is 
a commodious building, situated in Riding House 
Lane, adjoining the east end of All Souls Church, 
and was erected by subscription ; here is sufficient 
accommodation for 500 children, but the number 
at present educated amounts only to 417, viz. 257 
Boys, and 160 Girls, of whom 44 Boys and 30 
Girls are clothed at the expense of the Charity. 
Patron. 

The Right Honourable and Right Reverend t}ie 
Lord Bishop of London. 

Patronesses. 

Her Grace The Duchess of Portland. 

The Most Noble The Marchioness of Lothian. 
The Most Noble The Marchioness of Cornwallis. 
The Right Hon. Viscountess Duncannon. 

The Right Hon. Lady Robert Seymour. 

The Right Hon. Lady Skelmersdale. 

Mrs. Saxby Penfold. Mrs. Spry. 
President 

The Rt. Rev. The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells. 

Treasurers 

The Very Rev. The Dean of Chichester. 

The Rev. Dr. Penfold. 

Bankers. 

Sir Claude Scott, Bart, and Co. No. 1, Cavendish 
Square. 

Honorary Surgeon. —John Propert, Esq. 
Schoolmaster and Secretary. —Mr. Pain. 

Schoolmistress. —Mrs. Pethrie. 

Collector. —Mr. Byers, 7, Foley Street. 


114 


EASTERN NATIONAL SCHOOL. 


Donations and Subscriptions are received by 
the Treasurers ; by the Bankers, Sir Claude Scott, 
Bart, and Co. No. 1, Cavendish-square ; and by 
Mr. John Byers, the Collector. 


The School is conducted strictly on the System 
of the National Society as exemplified in the Cen¬ 
tral National School in Baldwin’s Gardens, Gray’s 
Inn, and no books are used in the School except 
those on the list of the Society for promoting 
Christian Knowledge. 

The Laws and Regulations of the School are 
precisely similar to those of the Western National 
School, with the exception that a quarterly exami¬ 
nation of the children takes place in the months of 
March, September, and December; and a public 
examination in the month of June, of Avhich due 
notice is given. 

The Girls’ School is under the superintendence 
of the Ladies Patronesses, with other Ladies not 
exceeding ten in number, who are selected by the 
Committee of Management from the families of 
the Trustees, with their consent and approbation ; 
and the Ladies thus appointed constitute a Com¬ 
mittee of Visitors, who superintend the work and 
discipline of the Girl’s School, but are not per¬ 
mitted to make any alteration in the Rules and 
Regulations, until the sanction of the Committee 
of Trustees has been obtained. 






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CHRIST CHURCH. 


115 


CHRIST CHURCH. 

The site of this church was purchased of Thomas 
Wilson, Esq. It was built from the designs of the 
late Phillip Hardwick, Esq. and was consecrated 
in 1825. The portico and principal front are at 
the east end. The western end of the church abuts 
against the houses on the north side of it. The 
building is in two separate portions, the first, which 
is entirely of stone, comprises the entrance and 
tower; the second portion consists of the body of 
the church, and is wholly appropriated to the con¬ 
gregation ; this is built of brick, with stone dres¬ 
sings. There is an entrance from the portico, to 
the basement story of the tower, which is formed 
into a circular vestibule, crowned with a dome, in 
the centre of which is an opening, encircled with a 
gallery and ballusters. On the south and north 
sides are openings to other vestibules of the same 
form, covered also with domes, having circular 
lantern lights on their centres. In these are the 
stairs to the galleries, and the entrances to the 
body of the church. To the lateral vestibules are 
also entrances from the north and south sides of 
the building, each of which is flanked with a pair 
of Ionic columns, finished with the appropriate 
entablature, without pediments; the north and south 
fronts have each a -series of five long windows, 
with arched heads, and are furnished with parapets 
and balustrades. The portico and pediment are of 
the Ionic Order, and above and behind the pediment 
rises a plain square tower. Above this tower, whose 
monotony is broken only by the clock, is a square 
portico of four columns on each face, and the steeple 
is finished by a campanile and cupola which supports 
a ball and cross. Although the portico and princi¬ 
pal front are at the east end, the altar retains its 
proper situation, this arrangement was occasioned 


116 


CHRIST CHURCH. 


by necessity; it is the same at Bishopsgate church, 
but the effects of the alterations are nere met with 
far greater ingenuity than in that church. 

INTERIOR. 

The architecture is of the Corinthian Order, and, 
together with the Ionic of the exterior, is formed 
after the Italian examples. The nave and aisles 
are separated by six lofty columns, and two pilas¬ 
ters on each side supporting the entablature of the 
Order. The ceiling is arched, and is pierced by 
windows corresponding with the intercolumniations. 
The ceiling of the nave is arched, and formed by 
ribs into six principal divisions, each filled with an 
oval panel, the borders of which, as well as the 
ribs, are ornamented with scroll mouldings. The 
ceiling of the aisles is flat, and unornamented. 
Galleries are erected in the aisles, as well as across 
the west end of the nave, and are supported by 
pilasters. The fronts are coloured in imitation of 
oak paneling, resting on an architrave of stucco. 
The altar is simply ornamented; the screen occu¬ 
pies the whole of the eastern wall, and is situated 
in a recess between the lateral vestibules, which 
have already been described. The sides of the 
recess have large niches, and the eastern wall is 
divided into three compartments by pilasters sus¬ 
taining the entablature. The commandments, creed, 
and paternoster, are inscribed in these divisions 
upon long arched pannels. Upon the entablature 
are two small statues of angels seated, and holding 
a ribbon, inscribed, glory to god in the highest, 
and between them is an urn with wreaths of foliage. 
The ceiling of the chancel is ornamented with sunk 
panels, each containing an expanded flower of a 
circular and angular form alternately. In the body 
of the church, at a short distance from the altar- 
rails, the pulpit and reading and clerk’s desks, are 
placed on opposite sides. The two former are copies 
of each other; their form is octagonal, resting upon 3l 


CHRIST CHURCH. 


117 


terminal column. The furniture of the altar, pulpit, 
&c. is crimson velvet, and a glory encircling I. H S. 
inscribed on the front of each; two handsomely 
carved chairs, with a mitre on the back of each 
stand within the rails. A neat organ is erected in 
the western gallery. The fittings up of the interior 
for the accommodation of the congregation are neat 
and convenient, and the building is well adapted 
for. hearing the service The excellent arrangement 
of the entrances preserves that quietness so essen¬ 
tial to a church, and adds to the beauty of the whole 
design. 

There are catacombs underneath this church, 
in which the remains of a few persons are depo¬ 
sited, but no tablets are as yet erected in the 
church. 

The present Rector is the Rev. Robert Walpole, 
B. D. who was instituted in 1828, on the removal 
of the Rev. G. Saxby Penfold, to Trinity. 

Curate :—The Rev. William Joseph Hutching, 

M. A. 

Clerk, Mr. William Harrison. 

The Christ Church District, is bounded on the 
west, by the Edgware Road ; on the north by the 
Parishes of St. John, Hampstead, and St. Pancras ; 
on the south east, by and including the north side 
of the Primrose Hill Road ; on the east, by and 
including the west side of Park road, and west side 
of Upper Baker street; and on the south, by and 
including the north side of the New Road from 
Upper Baker Street to Edgware Road. 


118 


TRINITY CHURCH. 


TRINITY CHURCH. 

Part of the ground for building this Church was 
exchanged by the Yestry of this Parish with that 
of St. Pancras, the boundary of the Parish having 
been altered to facilitate this arrangement, the 
Treasury having granted two slips of ground to 
aid their object. This Church was designed by 
Sir John Soane, R. A., and consecrated in 1828. 

In common with the parish or rectory Church, 
on the opposite side of the road, the usual Church 
arrangement has been departed from; in this in¬ 
stance, the principal front faces the south instead 
of the west, and the altar is at the north end of the 
building. 

The principal front is made into a centre w r ith 
side divisions ; the first portion consists of a portico 
of four Ionic columns, imitated from the Temple 
on the Ilyssus at Athens; they are raised on a 
flight of steps of equal height with the plinth on 
which the entire building is elevated, and are sur¬ 
mounted by their entablature. The frieze displays 
the Grecian fret; behind the portico are entrances 
to the Church, and collateral to it are two plain 
divisions, containing lofty arched windows, divided 
in height by a transverse stone; the central portion 
is built or faced with stone, these smaller divisions, 
with their returns at the flanks of the building, are 
built with brick, and form a disagreeable contrast 
with the stone work of the front and flanks. Such 
small portions of brick-work rather show a peculiar 
taste, than indicate an attention to economy, for 
no one can conceive that in an edifice, where the 
funds allowed of a number of expensive columns, 
any necessity could exist for leaving a small portion 
only of the corners of the building destitute of a 
stone covering. 

In the side divisions, the cornice only of the 




































TRINITY CHURCH. 


119 


entablature is applied, and the entire elevation is 
surmounted by a blocking course and ballnstrade. 

Above the portico rises a tower in two stories, 
the first or belfry, is square in plan: in each face 
is an arched window, with a circular perforation 
above for the dial, over which the Grecian fret is 
again introduced. At the sides of the windows, 
and near the angles of the tower, are insulated 
columns of the “Tivoli Corinthian” Order, standing 
on pedestals; the story is crowned with an enta¬ 
blature, the blocking course over each column is 
finished with a very beautiful cinerary urn, or pyra¬ 
midal sarcophagus.* The second story is circular, 
a peristyle of six columns, of the same order as 
the tower of the Winds at Athens; the columns 
are raised on a stylobate, and crowned with an 
entablature, over which is a blocking course, broken 
by Grecian tiles at intervals, corresponding with 
the columns. A cupola, sustaining a large vane 
instead of a cross, crowns this story; the cella is 
pierced with windows between each alternate pair 
of columns. 

* The history of the construction, or rather of the finishing 1 of 
this,/?r$£ story , furnishes an additional proof, if any were wanting, 
of the parsimony, or rather meanness of public bodies, in the pro¬ 
secution of public works. Sir John Soane, the architect, (whose 
public spirit and private collection of ancient and modern art, 
place him at the head of modem Virtuosi), was at first compelled, 
from the very limited estimate allowed for the building, to 
adopt the plan of pilasters, instead of the bold and beautiful 
columns as they now stand. The drawing exhibiting this first 
plan was left for public inspection at the Court-house; and 
the effect, as might have been expected, was meagre and poverty- 
stricken. In consequence, the Rev. Dr. Penfold, the first and 
present Rector, set on foot a subscription, (which was readily car¬ 
ried into effect, to the amount of £. 1200.) for the, production of an 
enlarged and more ornamented tower. The result was, the tower, 
or rather the first story of it, as we now behold it; and it is no 
vague or unmerited compliment to the architect, to say, that a more 
beautiful piece of ecclesiastical architecture, is not to be seen in 
the whole range of modern churches. Had the funds at the dis¬ 
posal of Sir John Soane, been on a scale befitting the liberality of 
a large and opulent parish, the second story of this tower would 
have been on a scale of proportionate magnitude with the first. 


TRINITY CHURCH. 


120 

The eastern flank of the church, assimilates in 
general design with the front already described; 
it is made into a central and lateral divisions, the 
former consists of six half columns of the Ionic 
Order, between two pairs of antm, forming seven 
divisions, having lofty arched windows in each 
intercolumniation, divided into two heights by a 
transom ; the lateral divisions have similar windows 
to the central. An entablature crowns the columns, 
with the favourite fret in the frieze. Above the 
side divisions, in common with the west front, the 
cornice only is retained; and a ballustrade forms 
the finish to the elevation. The central portion, 
like the principal front, is faced with stone. The 
small collateral divisions at each angle, as before 
observed, are brick. The northern elevation is 
recessed in the centre, with a corridor connecting 
the projecting wings, in the style of Walworth 
Church. Above this are three windows, and the 
elevation is finished with an acroterium. 

The interior of this church is generally admired 
for the tasteful nature and general pleasing cha¬ 
racter of its decorations. In breadth it is made 
into a nave and aisles by columns and arches. A 
small division is made at the north and south ends 
of the church by arches, crossing the whole building 
at right angles with the former ones, and which 
rest upon piers rising from the floor. The smaller 
arches above the galleries are semi-circular; the 
larger ones crossing the nave are segments of large 
circles. The division to the north forms the chancel, 
the south one contains the organ gallery. An arch 
of the like form is also constructed at the north 
end above the altar windows. The spandrils of all 
these arches are pierced with circles, giving an air 
of great lightness and elegance to the whole com¬ 
position. The side aisles are occupied by galleries, 
sustained on an architrave supported by unfluted 
Grecian Doric columns. The fronts are panelled. 


TRINITY CHURCH. 


121 

From the architrave four octangular pillars without 
capitals, are carried up, and sustain five semi-cir¬ 
cular arches springing immediately from the pillars, 
without the intervention of imposts, and occupying 
the space between the piers at the north and 
south ends; the divisions northward of the piers 
are covered by plain circular arches. A gallery 
crosses the south end of the church, in which is 
erected the organ. On each side of this instrument 
is an additional gallery for the charity children. 

The ceiling, part of which is pleasingly broken 
into portions by the various divisions of the church, 
is quite flat, and formed into large panels; that 
portion which belongs to the central division is 
surrounded with a frieze of foliage disposed in a 
continued scroll. Each panel in the centre row 
is enriched with a flower, as are all the panels in 
the aisles and chancel. 

The altar-screen is a beautiful composition, in 
three divisions. The centre contains the decalogue 
on dark red panels, and is bounded by two pilasters 
sustaining an architrave, cornice, and pediment, 
having cherubim applied as acroteria; beneath 
the architrave is a dove in white marble, with 
expanded wings, surrounded with a golden irradia¬ 
tion. The lateral divisions contain the Creed and 
Paternoster on corresponding panels, and the 
whole is flanked at the sides with two columns, and 
finished with an architrave and cornice enriched 
with scroll work, and broken above the columns, 
where the cornice is decorated with acroteria and 
cherubim. The body of the screen, and the pilasters 
and columns, are painted in imitation of Sienna 
marble ; the capitals, frieze, and other enrichments 
of white veined marble. In the wall above the 
altar are three arched windows glazed with ground 
glass, which on that account greatly detract from 
the appearance of the building. 

The pulpit and reading desk are executed in 

G 


122 


TRINITY CHURCH. 


oak, and rest upon columns on opposite sides of 
the nave. The font, consisting of a circular basin 
of marble, sustained on a pillar of the same material, 
is placed in front of the altar-rails. The basement 
story of the church is occupied by spacious and well 
ventilated catacombs, but the number of persons 
at present deposited in them is very limited. 

The congregation accommodated is 2003. The 
estimate was 21,829/. 10s. 

The present Rector is the Rev. George Saxby 
Penfold, D. D. Rector of King’s Swinford, Stafford¬ 
shire, who was instituted on the consecration of the 
church, in 1828. 

Curates:—The Rev. Fred. Hamilton, M. A. 

The Rev. William James Early Ben¬ 
nett, M. A. 

Clerk, Mr. Henry Charles Bell. 

Trinity District is bounded on the north and 
north-west, by and including the Quadrant of the 
Circle in the Regent’s Park, and the Roads run¬ 
ning southward and eastward from the said circle; 
on the east, *by the Parish of St. Pancras; on the 
south, by and including the north sides of Upper 
Mary-le-bone Street, New Cavendish Street and 
Great Marylebone Street (eastward of Wimpole 
Street); on the west, by and including the east 
sides of Devonshire Place, Upper Wimpole Street, 
and Wimpole Street, north of Great Mary-le-bone 
Street. 



CHAPELS OF EASE. 


123 


Oxford Chapel, now St. Peter’s. 

Previously to the erection of the New Churches, 
this Chapel was considered one of the most beautiful 
structures in the metropolis. It is situated in Vere 
Street, Oxford Street, and was erected about 
1724; Marriages, Christenings, &c. were performed 
here while the Parish Church was rebuilding in 
1741: his Grace the Duke of Portland was also 
married at this Chapel in 1734. The building is 
of brick, strengthened with rustic quoins of stone. 
The principal entrance at the west end is approached 
by a flight of steps, leading to a porch of the Doric 
order; the entablature supports a triangular pedi¬ 
ment which contained on the tympanum, a coat of 
arms carved in stone; these arms appear to have 
belonged to a descendant of Aubrey De Vere, the 
last Earl of Oxford of that family. They were 
however taken down in the year 1832, when the 
Chapel was repaired, and it was then named St. 
Peter’s. The steeple springs from the centre of 
the roof, at this end, and consists of three stages, 
viz. a square tower of brick, above which is an 
octagon tower, open on all the sides, and crowned 
with a dome, from which springs a second, and 
smaller octagon tower, like the first, which supports 
a ball and vane. At the east end is a Venetian 
window, above which is a triangular pediment. A 
modillion cornice of stone is continued all round 
the building, and at each corner was a handsome 
stone vase, but these latter ornaments have been 
removed within these few years. This Chapel 
passed to' the Crown at the same time with the 
Rectory. 

The Minister of this Chapel is the Rev. Edward 
Scobell, M. A. lately appointed by the Crown, on 
the death of the Rev. J. Percival. 

G2 


124 


CHAPELS OF EASE. 


Portland Chapel, now St. Paul’s. 

This Chapel is situated in Portland Street, and 
is a handsome brick building, decorated with stone 
dressings, and having a stone steeple at the west 
end: it was erected in 1766, on the site of Mary - 
le-bone basin, which was formerly a reservoir of 
water, for the supply of that part of the metropolis, 
but had been disused for many years. By some 
unaccountable neglect, this Chapel was omitted to 
be consecrated, at the time of its erection, and 
Divine Service was performed in it until the latter 
end of the year 1831, when (it having in common 
with the Rectory of the Parish passed into the 
hands of the Crown), the important ceremony of 
consecration was performed, and it was dedicated 
to St. Paul. 

The present Minister is the Rev. John Crofts, 
M. A. 

There is nothing remarkable in the architecture 
of the other Chapels of this Parish, they having 
been erected at various periods, as the population 
increased, and more accommodation for religious 
worship was required. 

Bentinck Chapel, 

Which is proprietary, and situated in Chapel 
Street, New Road, was erected in 1772, and opened 
by the Rev. — Hunt, father of the talented Editor 
of the Examiner. The Rev. Basil Woodd was 
Minister of this Chapel for a period of 45 years, 
dying on the 12th of April, 1831. Her Royal High¬ 
ness the late Duchess of York frequently attended 
Divine Service at this Chapel. 

The present Minister and proprietor is the Rev. 
Henry Hinxman, M. A. 


CHAPELS OF EASE. 


125 


Welbeck Chapel, now St. James’s, 

Is situated in Westmoreland Street, Mary-le- 
bone Street, was erected in 1774, and was then 
called Tichfield Chapel. This Chapel also passed 
to the Crown with the Rectory, and has since 
been named St. James’s. 

The present Minister is the Rev. Thomas White, 
M. A. 

Assistant Minister, the Rev. Philip Jennings, 


Portman Chapel, 

Is the property of the Minister, the Rev. J. 
Harris, and was erected in 1779, it is situate in Baker 
Street, a short distance from Portman Square. 

Quebec Chapel, 

Situated in Quebec Street, was built in 1788. 
This Chapel is the property of B. Simmonds, Esq. 
His Majesty’s 2d Regiment of Life Guards at¬ 
tended Divine Service at this Chapel on Sundays 
during the time they occupied the Barracks in King 
Street: part of the service is chaunted after the 
cathedral style at this Chapel. 

The present Minister is the Rev. Alfred Wil¬ 
liams, M. A. 

Brunswick Chapel, 

Was resigned to the Crown, on the appointment 
of the Minister, the Rev. Dr. Penfold, to the Rectory 
of Christchurch. This Chapel, erected in 1795, and 
situated in Upper Berkeley Street, is remarkable for 
the number of persons of high rank and consequence 
which form the congregation. The present Minister 


126 


CHAPELS. 


is the Rev. St. Vincent Love Hammick, appointed 
by the Crown, on the death of the late Rev. Wil¬ 
liam Fawssett, D. D. 

Margaret Street Chapel, 

The property of Hemy Drummond, Esq. This 
building is situated in Margaret Street, Cavendish 
Square; was first converted into a Chapel in 1789. 

The present Minister, is the Rev. William Dods- 
worth, M. A. 

There are several Dissenting Chapels also in 
this Parish, the principal of which are: the Scotch 
Chapel in Wells Street, 4 5 years under the Ministry 
of the late Dr. Waugh. Hinde Street Chapel, 
belonging to a congregation of the Wesleyan 
persuasion. Paddington Chapel, situated in Homer 
Place, New Road, under the Ministry of the Rev. 
J. Stratton, who professes the doctrine of the 
Independents. Shouldham Street Chapel, under 
the Ministry of Mr. George, a Baptist. Blandford 
Street Chapel, a Baptist Meeting. Providence 
Chapel, under the Ministry of Mr. Huntingdon, 
frequented by a congregation styling themselves 
Independents, situated in Little Titchfield Street, 
w as burnt dow n on the 18th of July, 1810 ;* Aenon 
Chapel, New Church Street, Edgw r are Road ; Wes¬ 
leyan Chapel, Salisbury Street; and a Chapel 
lately estabished by Mr. Irving, in Newman Street, 
in a room which was formerly the gallery of the 
late Benjamin West, P. R. A. Also a Roman 
Catholic Chapel in Spanish Place, and another in 
Little George Street, dedicated to Notre Dame 
de 1’Invocation. 

* It is said that when this Chapel was burnt down, the Minister 
observed, that “ Providence having allowed the Chapel to be 
destroyed, Providence might rebuild it, for he would not ’*—and 
in consequence, the site is occupied by a timber yard. 


CEMETERIES. 


127 


Cemetery on the South Side of Paddington 
Street. Consecrated in 1733. 

It is computed that more than 80,000 persons 
are interred in this cemetery ; the monumental 
inscriptions are so numerous, that it becomes ne¬ 
cessary only to select the following list of persons 
to whom memorials have been erected. 

Susan Coy, - - 1733 

Mr. John Phillips, - - 1733 

Flora Pond, wife to Ambrose Pond of Rickmersworth, in 
the County of Hertford, Gent. - 1738 

Major Isaac De L’Aigle - - 1739 

Frances Rothery (sister of Dr. William Nicolson, Arch¬ 
bishop of Cashel, and mother of Joseph Rothery, 
Ajchdeacon of Derry), - - 1740 

Matthew Gossett, Esq. a Gentleman-Pensioner, “ well- 
known for his skill in some of the Polite Arts.’’ 1740 
Mr. James Hamilton, - - 1749 

George Rawlinson, First Master Cook to his most be¬ 
loved and revered Royal Master, George III. in whose 
Household he passed half a Century. 

John Reynolds, Master-painter of the Ordnance, 1752 
John Lawson, Esq. - - 1753 

The Hon. Enoch Hall, Esq. Chief Justice of North 
Carolina - - - 1756 

Here is a splendid Mausoleum, erected by the Hon. 
Richard Fitzpatrick, to the memory of his beloved 
■wife, the Hon. Susanna Fitzpatrick, who died March 
28, 1759, iEtat 30. The following inscriptions also 
appear on the west and north sides :—The mortal 
Remains of Anne, Baroness de Robeck, youngest 
daughter of the Hon. Richard Fitzpatrick, who departed 
this Life, Oct. 22, 1829, aged 80 years, were depo¬ 
sited in this mausoleum, by her disconsolate Son, the 
Baron de Robeck, on the 13th Nov, 1829. This 
Mausoleum w'as completely repaired by John Michael 
Henry Fock, Baron de Robeck, Grandson of the 
Hon. Richard Fitzpatrick, An. Dom. 1830. 


128 CEMETERIES. 

John Castles (“ late of the Great Grotto, whose 
great ingenuity in shell-work gained him universal 
applause.”) - - - 1757 

Thomas Buck, Gent, of Whitehill, Co. of Kent, 1761 
Francis Moore, Esq. - - 1761 

Rev. Thomas Morice, - - 1762 

Mary Du Bisson, Spinster, aged 61, - 1762 

Barak Longmate, - - 1764 

Dame Anne Milbanke, Relict of Sir Ralph Milbanke, 
Bart, of Halnaby in the County of York, 1765 

Mr. Duncan Grant, late of H. M. S. Marlborough 1765 
Archibald Bower, Esq. Author of the History of the 
Popes, - 1766 

Anne, Relict of Capt. Geo. Edwards, R. N. - 1767 

Sir Andrew Chadwick, Knt. - - 1776 

William Guthrie, Esq. - - 1770 


Frances Rivett, Widowof John Rivett, Esq. of Checkers 
in the County of Bucks, and daughter of John Rus¬ 
sell, Esq. late Governor of Bengal. She was Bed¬ 
chamber Woman to her R. H. Princess Amelia, 1775 
George Mercer, Esq. one of the Justices of the Peace of 
the County of Middlesex, - - 1776 

Robert Adams, Esq. of Cavendish Square, - 1778 

Benjamin Rujolas, Gent. - - 1779 

George Lee, Esq. - 1782 

Dame Margaret Chadwick, - ' - 1783 

Rev. Joseph Hooley, Vicar of Breedon and Ratby, and 
Rector of Newtown Linford, all in the County of 
Leicester, - - - 1783 

Rev. J. Carpenter, Rector of Bignor, and Vicar of Pag- 
ham, in Sussex, - 1785 

Gideon Gossett, Esq. - - 1785 

Mr. Thomas Jackson, Gent. - 1786 

Sir Alexander Allan, Bart. - - 1787 

Robert Auchmuty, Esq. Judge of the Admiralty of the 
Four New England Provinces - - 1788 

Mr. Thomas Chaplin, of the Sec. of State’s Office, 1788 
Constant Decharme, Merchant, - 1788 

Francis Marden, Esq. of the Hon. East India Company’s 
Service at Bombay, - - 1789 

Hester, Wife of Capt. George Martin, - 1790 


CEMETERIES. 


129 


Mrs. Hester Fitzmaurice, sister of Lord Westcote, and 
Relict of John Fitzmaurice, Esq. - 1790 

Silvester Rossi, - 1790 

Jessentour Rozea, Jun. Esq. - - 1791 

Matthew Stourton, Esq. - - 1792 

Sir Thomas Mills, Knt. - - 1793 

Rev. Joseph Davenport, - - 1794 

Henry Lloyd, Esq. of Boston, in North America, 1795 
Capt. William Henry Brisbane, of the Royal Navy, Son 
of Admiral Brisbane, “ He was raised to the rank of 
Captain, by his gallant conduct, when first Lieutenant 
of H. M. S. Romney, in an action with the Sybylle, 
a French ship of war, of equal force, which she cap¬ 
tured.” - 1795 

Jane Simondson, a faithful Servant for 19 years in the 
family of John Martin Leake, Esq. - 1796 

Mrs. Anne Leland, Wife of Lt. Gen. John Leland, 1797 
Doctor John Breynton, - - 1799 

Francis Wheatley, Esq. R. A. - - 1801 

Sir Charles Ventris Field, Knt. - 1803 

Mr. John Burgess, - 1803 

Admiral Sir Richard King, Bart. - 1806 

Samuel Greig, Esq. Late Captain in and Commissioner 
for the Navy of His Majesty the Emperor of all the 
Russias, and officiating Consul General for his said 
Majesty, in Great Britain - - 1807 

Henry Stuart S. S., B. 28th Sept. 1793, D. 9th July, 
1794. Also Charles Henry Stuart, S. S., B. 17th 
March, D. 1st Oct. 1802. Sons of J. Ferdinand 
Smyth Stuart, Great Grandson of King Charles II. 
rest here. “ Most beautiful smiling innocents, Alas ! 
How fallen ! How changed !” And Spencer Perceval 
Stuart, S. S., B. June 14th. D. Aug. 4, 1807. 
Joseph Bonomi, Esq. - - 1808 

Anna Maria De Bathe, 1796, and Sir James Michael de 
Bathe, Bart, her husband, - - 1808 

Dr. Ainslie of Dover Street, Piccadilly. 

Mr. James Belcher, who died regretted by all who knew 
him, July 30, aged 30 years, - 1811 

James Hume, many years in the house of Cox and 
Greenwood, Charing Cross - 1813 


130 


CEMETERIES. 


Ralph Wilde, Esq. Capt. in the 89th Regt. and Major 
in the Portuguese Infantry, killed at the battle of 


Salamanca, - - - 1812 

John Thomas Mailing, son of the late Major John 
Joseph Maling, of the Royal African Corps, 1816 
Alexander Farquharson, Esq. - - 1818 

Edward Jones, Bard to H. M. Geo. IV. - 1824 

Maria Georgiana, daughter of Henry Frankland, late of 
the 37th Regiment, - - 1824 

Miss Micaela Lauriana Tilt (eldest daughter of Lieut. 


Col. Andrew Tilt of His Majesty’s 37th Regiment 1825 
Miss Mary Anne Pickersgill, only daughter of the late 
Lieut. Joshua Pickersgill, Dept. Assistant Quarter 
Master General to the Bengal Army, - 1825 

Alexander Esplin, of Langholm, Dumfriesshire, 1825 
Westgate Copping, Esq. - - 1825 

Louisa Elizabeth, daughter of the Rev. W. Barlow, 1826 
John Meek, Esq. formerly of Jamaica, - 1826 

Selina Innes, Relict of the late William Innes, of the 
Island of Jamaica, Esq. and daughter of the late Sir 
William Chambers, Knt. Comptroller-General of His 
late Majesty’s Works, - - 1827 


The following lines (which are scarcely legible) are 
inscribed on a stone erected in 1777, to the Memory of 

George Canning, Esq. 

Father of the late Right Hon. George Canning, 
Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, during 
the late Reign. 

Thy virtue and my love no words can tell, 
Therefore a little while my George farewell; 

For faith and love like ours, Heaven has in store 
Its last best gift—to meet and part no more.* 

* This stone and its inscription are fast mouldering 1 to dust. A 
trifling- sum would restore it to its pristine beauty : and when one 
considers the character, worth and wealth, of many Individuals 
connected with the name of Canning, one is more than surprised, 
that this tribute to the memory of the Father of one of the most 
eminent Orators and Statesmen, that ever graced the annals of this, 
or of any other Country, should be suffered to sink into oblivion. 



CEMETERIES. 


131 


Caroline Malie, wife of Thomas Malie, M. D. Surgeon 
to His Majesty’s 1st Regiment of Dragoon Guards. 


Lieut. Aaron Young, of the Royal Marines, - 1827 

Rev. Joseph Davidson, Fellow of King’s College, Cam¬ 
bridge, - 1828 

Anne Green, who died at Boulogne, - 1830 

Mrs. Letitia Paux, - - 1830 

Alexander Peter Allan, Esq. late of Basseterre, in the 
Island of St. Kitts, - - 1830 

Samuel Copping, Esq. - - 1830 

Ellen Stanley Crozier, daughter of Henry Robert Cro- 
zier, Esq. and Caroline Stanley, - 1831 

Capt. Felix Thompson, 2d West-India Regiment, 1831 


Cemetery on the North Side of Paddington 
Street. 

This ground was purchased of the late Mr. 
Portman for 3000/. and consecrated in 1772. It 
is smaller than that on the south side, and contains 
a large number of tombs, some of which are of the 
most splendid description. Memorials are erected 
to the following persons. 

Philip Deare, Esq. - - 1774 

Anthony Pelham, Esq. M. D. - - 1776 

Mrs. Frances Gwynn, Relict of the late Colonel Leonard 
Gwynn, - 1776 

Lady Charlotte Wentworth, 3d daughter of Thomas, 
Marquis of Rockingham (and likewise that of Elizabeth 
Wombersley). 

“ The Rich and the Poor, meet together, 

The Lord is the Maker of them all.” 

Elizabeth Wombersley lived 55 years in the service of 
the said Lady Charlotte Wentworth, and died in her 
family. 

Ann Nasso, wife of Marco Nasso, Esq. of Rathbone 
Place, - - - 1779 

Mary Horne, widow of Captain Edward Horne, R. N. 1781 
Beniamin Charles Collins, Esq. ofSalisbury in the County 
of Wilts, - - - - 1785 



132 


CEMETERIES. 


Family Vault, “ The within Burial Place is the property 
of Wade Toby Caulfield, Esq. and his Family for ever.” 
Joseph Tullie, Esq. of Yorkshire, Receiver-General of 
the Duchy of Lancaster, and Deputy-Usher of the Ex¬ 
chequer, - - - -1774 

Edward Cauldwell, Esq. Captain in the Navy (who 
married Anna Maria, only child of Thomas Clark, 
Gent, of Westminster, - - - 1780 

Mary, widow of Captain Edward Thorne, of the Royal 
Navy, - - 1781 

Mr. Henry Sutton, son of Sir Richard Sutton, Bart. 1782 
John Jefferson, Esq. late Master of His Majesty’s Ship 
Sandwich, - - - - 1782 

Dame Leonora Rush, daughter of Brigadier-General 
Sutton, and Relict of Sir John Rush, Kt. - 1785 

David Aquiton La Rose, - - - 1786 

Malcolm Macpherson, Esq. - - - 1787 

Jonathan Court, Esq. Commander of a Ship in the service 

of the East-India Company, - - 1787 

Frances Purling, wife of Matthew Purling, Esq. 1787 
Malcolm Macpherson, Esq. - - 1787 

William Newson, Esq. R. N. - - 1787 

Alice, wife of William Baillie, Esq. - - 1788 

Henry Bradley, Esq. - 1789 

Mr. John Christopher Zumpe, Gent. 1790. 

(t When Life is past and Death is come, 

Then well is he, that well has done. 

Catherine, Wife of the Rev. William Affleck, 1791; 
also, the Rev. William Affleck, late Rector of North 
Luffenham, County of Rutland, and Vicar of Potton in 
Bedfordshire, 1806; also, Elizabeth, Baroness Fyffe, 
daughter of the above, 1827 ; also, of Colonel Gilbert 
Affleck, son of the above, 1831. 

Mrs. Mary Newey, wife of Mr. James Newey, of the Custom 
House, - - - 1794 

Stephen Riou, Esq. who died, March 12, 1780; in the 
same grave is interred the body of his wife Dorothy 
Riou, who died Jan. 1, 1801; Captain Edward Riou, 
of H. M.S. Amazon, who so nobly distinguished himself 
at Copenhagen on the 2d of April, 1801, under Lord 
Nelson (was their second son:) and who was killed 
there by a cannon shot in the 38th year of his age. 
In commemoration of whose Services the Parliament 
of the United Kingdom voted a Monument to be erected 
in St. Paul’s Cathedral. 

Also, the Remains of Colonel Philip Riou, who died, 
Oct. 21, 1817, after an honourable Service of more 
than 40 years in the Royal Artillery. 


CEMETERIES. 


133 


Matthew Purling, Esq. - - - 1791 

Susanna Tipping, Spinster, died, Nov. 1791, aged 65 
years. 

Anne, Wife of Major-General William Martin, and 
daughter of James Gordon, Esq. of Boston, 1793 

Mr. Henry Smith, of this Parish, who was suddenly 
bereft ol life on his Birth Day, by a fall from his horse 
on the 23d of October, 1794, aged 29. 

Captain John Bower, - - - 1794 

Robert Grews, Esq. - - - 1794 

Mary, Wife of the Rev. B. Lawrence, and daughter of 
Robert Grews, Esq. - - - 1796 

Caroline, daughter of Sir Cecil Bisshopp, Bart. 1797 
Mr. Thomas Singer, 1797; also, Mr. William Singer, 
son of the above, who was unfortunately drowned as 
he was bathing in the river Ouse, in Yorkshire, June 7, 
1798, aged 19 years. 

The Family Vault of Lieutenant-General Sir Alan Came¬ 
ron, K. C. B. purchased, - 1797 

Robert Catherwood, Esq. late of East Florida, - 1797 
Alexander Elmsley, Esq. - - 1797 

Captain Robert Winch, - - 1798 

Mrs. Ann Brettell, wife of George Brettell, of Baker Street, 

Esq..1799 

William Allsop, Esq. - - - 1800 

Harriet Creyke, 2d daughter of Ralph Creyke, Jun. Esq. 

of Rawcliffe House, Yorkshire. 

William Douglas, Esq. of Somerset Place, - 1800 

Miss Jane Simpson of Bradley, in the Co. of Durham, 1801 
Duncan, M f Andrew, Esq. - - * - 1802 

Lady Ann Sheridan, of Portland Place, - 1802 

Henry Cornelisen, Esq. - - 1803 

Anne, Wife of the Rev. B. Lawrence, Curate of this 
Parish, - - - - - 1803 

Miss Henrietta Hellen Abemethie, daughter of the late 
Dr. Abernethie, Physician in Banlf, - - 1804 

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Hunter, of His Majesty’s 3d 
Regiment of Foot Guards, - - 1804 

The Rev. Robert Sumner, M. A. Vicar of Kenilworth and 
Stoneleigh, in Warwickshire, 1802; also, Robert 
Sumner, son of the above, of Corpus Christi College, 
Cambridge, 1804. 

Charlotte, wife of William Boscawen, Esq. - 1804 
Mrs. Rose Pearson, 1804, also, Mr. William Penrucker, 
of this Parish, who was killed by a cannon ball, in an 
action with the enemy off Boulogne, Sept. 6, 1804, in 
the 29th year of his age. 

Mr. Michael Hoyle, - 1805 


CEMETERIES. 


134 

Mrs. Anna Clarke, widow of Captain Clarke, R. N. who 
died at Barbadoes, 1776, she died, - - 1805 

Philip Rogers Bearcroft, Esq. Commissary of Accounts 
to the Leeward Islands, and one of the Commissioners 
for investigating the Accounts of Army Expenditure in 
the West Indies, during the last war, - 1805 

John Sumner, Esq. late of Bengal, - - 1808 

James Durnford, Esq. 1803; also, the Hon. Mrs. Amelia 
MWeagh, - 1808 

Juliana Wright, daughter of the late S. Wright, Esq. 1808 
Mr. Joshua Brown, resident in this Parish 50 years, 1808 
Robert Gregory, Esq. formerly Chairman of the Court of 
Directors of the H.E. I. C. and M. P. for Rochester, 1810 
Mrs. Johanna Hart, wife of Mr. Thomas Hart, of the 
Royal Navy, - - - 1810 

William Johnston,Esq. late of Up. Berkeley Street 1810 
Mrs. Mary Stephens, Relict of General Stephens, 1810, 
also, her son Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Stephens, of 
the 3d Regiment of Guards, - - 1811 

Mrs. Sarah Agar, wife of James Agar, Esq. ofWelbeck 
Street, - - - 1811 

Francis Maria Drought, daughter of the Hon. Thomas 
Wallen, President of the Council of the Island of 
Jamaica, and wife of Thomas Drought, Esq. - 1811 

Miss Jane Vick, daughter of William Vick, Esq. 1812 
Miss Mary Clotilda Perkins, daughter of Captain Perkins, 
R.N. - - - - 1812 

John Schweitzer, Esq. - - - 1812 

Robert Curry, Esq. late of His Majesty’s Navy, 1812 
Mrs. Mary Fowler, Relict of the Rev. Bernard Fowler, 
late Rector of Wormley, Herts, - - 1812 

The family Vault of John White, Esq. who died, 1813 
Josiah Tatnall, Esq. formerly of His Majesty’s Council 
for the Bahama Islands, - - - 1813 

William Robinson, late Deputy Clerk of this Parish, 1814 
Thomas Greenwell, Esq. - - - 1814 

Jane Greenwell, wife of the above, - - 1832 

Edward Jones, Esq. - 1815 

Mrs. Elizabeth Stewart, wife of Lieutent-General James 
Stewart, 1807; also. General James Stewart, 1815. 
Mary Ann, wife of the Rev. Okey Belfour, Minister of 
St. John’s Chapel in this Parish, - - 1816 

The Rev. Charles Coleman, of Ratharnham, County of 
Dublin, - - - - 1817 

James Bruce, Esq. Lieutenant-Governor of Dominica, 
1808; also, his brother-in-law. Captain John Thomson, 
of the Coldstream Guards, 1808; also, William 
Thomson, Esq. of Spring Garden, Musselburgh, near 
Edinburgh, - - - -1817 


CEMETERIES. 


135 


Mr. John Jones, late Vestry Clerk of this Parish, which 
situation he filled for nearly 37 years, with credit to 
himself, and advantage to the Parish, - 1818 

Mr. John Keeble, 25 years Pastor of the Church Meeting, 
in Blaudford Street, 1824; also, Mrs. Elizabeth Keeble, 
i822. 

Sarah Windowe, wife of Henry Windowe, Esq. of Pains- 
wick Lodge, County of Gloucester, - 1826 

Family Grave of Mr. Joseph Lee, To the Memory of 
Charlotte Dew, upwards of 60 years, a good and 
faithful Servant in the Family of Sir Simeon Stuart, 
Bart. - - - - 1828 

Anne Gouldsmith, wife of Richard Gouldsmith, Esq. 
1825, and Richard Gouldsmith, Esq. husband of the 
above, - - - - 1832 

Master George Desanges, son of Elizabeth and Louis 
Desanges, Esq. of Stratford Place, - - 1832 


I must not quit the solemn boundaries of this cemetery, 
without paying e< the passing tribute of a sigh” to the 
memory of one whose ashes repose within it, but of 
whose name there is yet no visible record.—It is of Mr. 
THOMAS TURNER, for 34 years principal Corrector 
of the justly celebrated Shakspeare Press, of whom I 
would now be understood to speak. The individual in 
question was not less distinguished for his amiable and 
obliging manners, than for his professional attainments. 
Mr. Turner was not the merely cold, mechanical cor¬ 
rector of typographical errors, but the suggester of 
valuable hints, and the furnisher of substantial informa¬ 
tion. To an extensive knowledge of ancient and modern 
literature, he added an intimate acquaintance with the 
Oriental languages ; his reading was various and solid, 
his taste accurate and refined; and in general attain¬ 
ments, for the successful execution of the important 
office consigned to his care, he was undoubtedly excelled 
by none: many testimonies of admiration for his talents, 
exist from authors of his day, who attained no small 
celebrity by their works, and of whom, many were 
deeply indebted to him for his Editorial assistance, and 
it is no slight testimony to his reputation, to add, that 
to his pen, the late Mr. Gifford (the Editor of the 
Quarterly Review, and perhaps the shrewdest philolo¬ 
gical critic this country ever produced) confessed him¬ 
self indebted for many a happy emendation. 

-“ Qni prsegravat artes 

Infra se positas extinctus amabitur idem.” 

Hor. 




136 


ST. JOHN'S WOOD CHAPEL. 


St. John’s Wood Chapel. 


This is a substantial unpretending chapel of the 
Ionic order, designed by the late Thomas Hard¬ 
wick, Esq. It is divided into two stories, with 
square windows to give light to the pews under the 
galleries, and with lofty semi-circular headed win¬ 
dows to light the galleries and body of the edifice. 
The portico is tetrastyle, and has a dial or clock- 
face in the tympanum of the pediment. Above 
this is a cubical tower, with steps, which forms a 
pedestal to a handsome lantern of the Roman Doric 
order. Apertures between the columns give light 
to the belfry, which is covered by a hemispherical 
cupola, ball, and vane. 

The interior has a very novel and pleasing ap¬ 
pearance, the pillars and pews being painted white, 
and having mahogany mouldings on the tops. The 
pulpit and reading desk are on opposite sides of the 
building; the altar is at the north end, the usual 
inscriptions are painted in gold letters on a black 
ground: above these inscriptions is a small semi¬ 
circular stained glass window, producing a very 
pretty effect as seen from the entrance to the 
chapel. It is singular, that although the interior 
of this chapel has never been painted since it was 
consecrated in 1814, it appears as fresh and clean 
as at the first day, which can only be accounted 
for, by the purity of the atmosphere, and absence 
of surrounding buildings. 

The present Minister is the Rev. Thomas 
Wharton, M. A., Master of the Clergy Orphan 
School. 

Clerk, Mr. John Emperor. 

The monumental tablets placed against the walls 
of this chapel, are most beautiful specimens of 
modern sculpture, by the most celebrated profes¬ 
sors of the age: here may be seen the productions 


st. John’s wood chapel. 137 

of Chan trey, Behnes, Wyatt, Hardenberg, Rouw, 
Austin, Blore, C. H. Smith, Lupton, Sams, &c. 
and it is to be regretted, by all lovers of the Fine 
Arts, that the sum charged for permission to erect 
a monument in this chapel is so enormous, that it 
amounts almost to a prohibition. 

In the Vaults underneath this chapel are depo¬ 
sited the Remains of many eminent persons; among 
whom is Mrs. West, the wife of the late Benjamin 
West, P.R. A. who promised, a short time before 
his death, to paint an altar-piece for presentation 
to this chapel, but his dissolution frustrated the 
carrying of his kind intention into effect. 


List of Monuments in the Chapel. 

North End. 

Charles Reynolds, Lieutenant-General in the Sendee of 
the East India Company. He served in India from the 
year 1772, till 1807, with eminent advantage to the 
Public and honour to himself. He filled the office of 
Surveyor-General under the Presidency of Bombay; 
and has left, for the information of the World, a Map of 
Hindustaun, constructed from actual survey by himself 
and assistants ; a lasting monument of his professional 
fame! He died at Cheltenham on the 24th of June, 
1819. 


Sacred to the Memory of an affectionate friend and kind 
father, John Tunno, Esq. of Devonshire Place, died 
May 15, 1819, aged 5 73 years. (A beautiful Monument 
by W. Behnes, Sculptor. Bust of the deceased on a 
Pillar, with a mourning figure of a young man, size of 
life). _ 


Lieutenant-General Charles Morgan, many year’s Senior 
Officer on the Bengal Establishment, in the Service of 
the East India Company; he died March 21, 1819, 
(Splendid Monument by F, Hardenberg), 






138 


LIST OF MONUMENTS. 


Sarah Capel, daughter of John and Eleanor Capel, of 
Russell Square, 1822. (Splendid Monument by 
Chantrey). 


Maria Anna, the wife of Thomas Hayward Budd, of 
Bedford Row, London, Esq. who died on the 25th of 
April 1819; also, the Body of Thomas Hayward Budd, 
Esq. who died July 14, 1820. (A beautiful Monument 
by R. J. Wyatt). 

“ She is not dead but sleepeth,” 


William Ruddiman, Esq. M. D. formerly of Madras, who 
died January, 20, 1826. 


Mrs. Eliza Kyd, wife of Lieutenant-General Alexander 
Kyd, who died Jan. 22, 1819; also, Lieutenant-General 
Kyd, of the Hon. East-India Company’s Service, Chief 
Engineer, Bengal Establishment, who died Nov. 25, 
1826. 


West Side. 

Sophronia Rebecca, Relict of the late Lieutenant-General 
G. Stibbert, who died Oct. 18, 1815. 


Robert Woodmass, Esq. late of Montagu Square, who 
died Jan. 28, 1820. 


Charles Augustus Godfrey Pieschell, Esq. who died April 
6, 1821, aged 70 years. His liberal contributions 
during his life to the numerous Charitable Institutions 
of this Country, his munificent bequests at his death for 
their support, and the Establishment of an Asylum in 
his native city of Magdeburgh, in Germany, for the 
Education of Poor Boys and Girls, are lasting Records 
of his Benevolence. 


Isabella, wife of Patrick Bartlet, Esq. of Nottingham 
Place, who died Feb. 8, 1821. 

u Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” 


Charges Binney, Esq. formerly of Madras, who died Feb. 2, 









st. John’s wood chapel. 139 

Augustus Frederick Pieschell, Esq. late of Wandsworth 
Common, and of Ballards in the County of Surrey; 
who died Dec. 15, 1822. This tablet is placed next to 
that erected to the memory of his departed relative, by 
the wishes of his surviving mother, brothers and sisters, 
at Magdeburgh, in Germany. 


South End. 

Jane Arbuthnot, daughter of the late Robert Arbuthnot, 
Esq. Secretary to the Board of Trustees, for the Improve¬ 
ment of Manufactures in Scotland; and of Mary 
Urquhart, of Craigston, his wife. She died in Wimpole 
Street, Feb. 2, 1819. 

Miss Mary Alston, who died July 4, 1825. 


Susannah Maria, wife of the late Lieutenant-Colonel Flint, 
of the 25th Regiment of Foot, who died Feb. 18, 1825 

In Memory of John Farqhar, Esq. of Fonthill Abbey, in 
the County of Wilts, and of this Parish, who departed 
this life July 6, 1826, 'aged 76 years. (Handsome 
Monument with medallion head, likeness of the de¬ 
ceased, by P. Rouw Sculptor). 

Lieutenant-General George Deare : he commanded the 
Corps of Artillery on the Bengal Establishment for 
many years, and served as a Major-General on the 
Staff of the Army of that Presidency. He died March 
5, 1828. 


East Side. 

George Cherry, Esq. late of Nottingham Place, in this 
Parish, and for many years. Chairman of the Victualling 
Board; who died Feb. 12, 1815. 

Anna Maria Lushington, eldest daughter of William 
Lushington, and Anna Maria his wife; she died with 
the hooping-cough, at the early age of seven years, on 
Sept. 24, 1816. 

Peter Cherry, Esq. of Gloucester Place, New Road, who 
died Jan. 10, 1818; also, his wife Elizabeth, who sur¬ 
vived him only six months. 








140 


LIST OF MONUMENTS. 


Martha Maria, Relict of the late George Frederick Cherry, 
Esq. the Hon. East India Company’s Senior Judge 
of the Court of Appeal at Benares; she departed this 
life, Jan. 21, 1819. 


John Williams, Esq. many years a Resident in the Island 
of Newfoundland, who died in this Parish, Jan. 26, 
1819. 

“ Be thou faithful unto Death, 

And I will give thee a crown of life.” 


Charlotte Stratton, Spinster, daughter of the late William 
Stratton, Esq. Member of Council at Bombay; who 
departed this life on the 11th day of October, 1819, 
aged 43 years; also, in Memory of her Mother, Jane 
Stratton, who died May 15, 1830, in her 80th year. 


About 40,000 persons lie interred in the ceme¬ 
tery belonging to this chapel. But from the com¬ 
paratively small number of memorials erected, the 
casual visitor would not suppose there were one- 
half the number. 


List of Persons to whom Memorials have been 
erected. 

Sally, wife of Thomas Tomlins, who died July 9, 1815 ; 
also, the abovenamed Thomas Tomlins, who died 
August, 1824. 

In Memory of Edward Foxhall, Esq. who died Oct. 29, 
1815. 

David Pike Watts, Esq. late of Portland Place. A name 
recorded by the founder himself of the Madras system 
of Education, as the first person, who actually intro¬ 
duced that system into practice in England. He died 
July 20, 1816, aged 62 years. This tomb was erected 
by his only surviving child Mary Watts Russell, and 
his son-in-law Jesse Watts Russell. (Marble Tomb 
by Chantrey). 

Isabella, wife of Mr. John Sowerby, who died Feb. 27, 
1820. 

George Mowbray, Esq. who died May 16, 1825. 

John Stewart, Esq. July 21, 1826. 

William Raymond, Esq. Lieutenant-General in His Ma¬ 
jesty’s Service, who died June 9, 1830. 




MONUMENTS IN THE CEMETERY 


141 


Jonathan Fiske, - - - 1823 

Mrs. Charlotte Faulkner, - - 1822 

This Ground was bought by Mr. John Finlayson of Upper 
Baker Street, to deposit under this stone the mortal 
remains of Mr. Richard Brothers, who resided and died 
in Mr. Finlay son’s House, on January 25, 1824. 

Mary, wife of William Porden, Esq. Architect, - 1819 

Mrs. Sarah Pratt, - - 1820 

John Lack, Esq. - 1824 

The Rev. Francis Thomas Hanson, Rector ofWydford, 
Herts, and of Quidenham, Norfolk, - - 1824 

Eleonora Franklin, wife of Captain John Franklin of the 
Royal Navy, - - - 1825 

Margaret, wife of James Walker, Esq. Collector of His 
Majesty’s Customs, at Berbice, - - 1828 

Philip Raine, Esq. of Gainford, in the County of Dur¬ 
ham, - - - - 1824 

Captain John Meade, of the 36th Regiment, 1827 

Amelius Peach Sparkes, infant son of the late George 
Sparkes, Esq. of Elmfield House, Devon, - 1826 
Samuel Cleverly, Esq. M. D. 1824 

Mr. Thomas Hogg, - - 1825 

Walter Sumpter, Esq. - - 1823 

The Rev. Alexander Hewatt, D. D. - - 1824 

Dr. Robert Gordon, late Physician to His Majesty’s 
Forces, and Deputy Inspector of Hospitals, - 1822 

Mr. Henry Hawkins, Lieutenant of the Royal Navy, 1821 
Captain John Lutman, late of the Royal Veteran Battalion, 
and formerly of the 81st Regiment; who after painfully 
lingering from a severe wound received on the 16th of 
January, 1809, in the Battle of Corunna, when serving 
in the latter Corps, died Jan. 20, 1821. 

Matthew Evan Thomas, Architect. A Student of the 
Royal Academy of London, and a Member of the 
Academy of Rome and Florence, - - 1830 

Margaret, 4th daughter of Donald McLeod, Esq. 1822 
William Greene, Esq. Surgeon, R. N. - - 1822 

Maria Candidade Britto, Native of Fundao, in the King¬ 
dom of Portugal, - - 1824 

Thomas Tredgold, Esq. Civil Engineer, - 1829 

Sarah Watson, wife of Thomas Watson, M. D. - 1830 

Gregorio Franchi Chivalier; of the Portuguese Order of 
Christ, who died in London, - - 1828 

Francis Beaty, Esq. Purser in the Royal Navy, - 1822 

Miss Mary S. Mackenzie, daughter of Alexander Mac¬ 
kenzie, Esq. Banker in Inverness, - - 1820 

James Farley Pratt, Esq. son of George Pratt, Esq. of 
the Island of Antigua, - - 1819 


142 


MONUMENTS IN THE CEMETERY 


Francis Skelton, M. D. - - 1827 

Mrs. Mary Ann Fitz Gerald, Spinster, who died Sept. 4, 
1816, aged 60, she was eldest daughter of the late 
Colonel Anster Fitz Gerald of the Desmond Branch of 
the family. 

Captain Frederick Ernest De Pirch, of the 73d Regiment 
and son of the late Lieutenant-General De Pirch, of 
Stargard, in Pomerania. He died March 26, 1815. 
Baron De Beaufort, - - - 1814 

Martha, wife of Donald Ross, late of the Colony of 
Berbice, - - - 1820 

John Francis William Rocquelin, a Native of Eu in 
France, - 1819 

Lionel Booth, of Saxmundham, Suffolk, - 1815 

On the West Side of this Cemetery, opposite No. 44 
on the wall, and 26 feet from it, is a flat stone, underneath 
which are deposited the Remains of Joanna Southcott, the 
pretended Prophetess, with the following inscription : 

In Memory of 
Joanna Southcott, 

who departed this life, Dec. 27, 1814, aged 65 years. 

“ While through all thy w r ondrous days. 

Heaven and Earth enraptur’d gaz’d. 

While vain Sages think they know. 

Secrets, Thou Alone canst show. 

Time alone will tell what hour, 

Thou’lt appear in “ Greater ” Power. 

Sabineus. 

On a black marble Tablet, let into the wall opposite to 
the above spot, is the following inscription in gilt letters, 
in addition to the above. 

" Behold the time shall come, that these Tokens which 
I have told Thee, shall come to pass, and the Bride shall 
Appear, and She coming forth, shall be seen, that now is 
withdrawn from the Earth.” 

2d of Esdras, Chap. 7th, ver. 26th. 

“ For the Vision is yet for an appointed time, but at 
the end it shall speak, and Not Lie, though it tarry. Wait 
for it; Because it will Surely Come, it will not tarry.” 

Habakkuk, Chap. 2, ver. 3d. 

“ And whosoever is delivered from the Foresaid evils, 
shall see My Wonders. 2d of Esdras, Chap. 7, ver. 27th. 

(See her Writings.) 

This Tablet was Erected 
By the sincere Friends of the above. 

Anno Domini, 1828. 


at st. John’s wood chapel. 143 

Dr. Samuel T. Bridget late of the Hon. East India Com¬ 
pany’s Service, - - - 1821 

Janet Frances, Infant daughter of Lieutent-Colonel Col¬ 
quitt, of the Grenadier Guards, - - 1818 

Emma Caroline Ward, daughter of James Ward, Esq. 

R.A. - - - - . 1817 

Captain George Warde Paterson, of the Hon. East India 
Company, Madras European Regiment, - 1817 
Mary Anne, wife of Charles Dupre Russell, Esq. of the 
Bengal Civil Service, - - - 1831 

William Meredith, Esq. - - 1831 

George Cochrane, Esq. Family Vault. 

Eliza, wife of David Henderson, Esq. - - 1830 

Matilda, wife of Alexander John Colvin, Esq. - 1830 

Susan Anne, the wife, and the infant son of George 
Anderson, Esq. - - 1830 

Margaret M f Leod Macqueen, eldest daughter of Captain 
Roderick Macqueen, who died Sept. 2, 1829. (This 
is a splendid Monument, with Inscriptions upon white 
marble slab, and an iron canopy ornamented and raised 
on iron pillars). 

Fanny, wife of Lieutenant Horatio Nelson Noble, 1829 
Mrs. Frances Hughes, Relict of Robert Hughes, Esq. 
late of the East India Company’s Civil Service, at the 
Presidency of Madras, - - 1827 

William Parry, Esq. late of Montagu Square, and of 
Walton Hall, in the County of Suffolk, - 1826 

The Rev. Gilbert Parke, Minister of St. John’s Wood 
Chapel, - - - 1824 

John Harwood, late of King’s Lynn, in the County of 
Norfolk, Esq. - - - 1824 

Thomas Robertson, Esq. late of the Hon. East India 
Company’s Naval Service, - - 1822 

Sir William Young, K. G. C. B. Admiral of the Red 
Squadron of His Majesty’s Fleet, and Vice Admiral of 
Great Britain, - - - - 1821 

The Rev. Millington Buckley; also, Mrs. Ann Buckley, 
Relict of the above, - - - 1829 

Charlotte Barnett, fourth daughter of Benjamin Barnett, 
Esq. of London, Banker, 1821; also, Mrs. Avice Bar¬ 
nett, Relict of the above Benjamin Barnett, Esq. 1822. 
Thomas Wheeler Milner, Esq. - - 1819 

William Charles Hicks, Esq. 2d son of the late J. W. 

Hicks, Esq. of the City of Bath, - 1818 

Family Vault of Sir John Coghill, Bart. Eliza Hinde, da. 
of Sir John Coghill, Bart, late of Coghill Hall, York¬ 
shire ; and Wife of the Rev. Nathaniel Hinde, Rector 
of King’s Swinford, Staffordshire, - 1821 


144 


MONUMENTS IN THE CEMETERY 


George Jones, Esq. - 1829 

Mary Richards, Relict of the Rev. Geo. Richards, of 
Longbredy, Dorset, 1815; also of Marcia, Lady of 
Major-General Sir Colquhoun Grant, K. C. B. 3d 
daughter of the above, 1818; also of Master Marcus 
Richards Grant, son of the above Gen. Sir Colqhoun 
and Lady Grant, 1818. 

Robert Heathcote, Esq. 1819 ; Lieut. Col. George Deare 
Heathcote, of the East India Company’s Bengal Mili¬ 
tary Establishment, son of the above. 

John Manners, son of John William Calvert, M. D. 1824 
Augusta Louisa, and Louisa Anne, 2 Daughters of the 
Rev. Christopher Hawkins, Rector of Kelston, in the 
Co. of Somerset, - - - 1818 

Lieut.-Col. Robert Monckton Grant, of the Hon. East 
India Company’s Service, . - - 1814 

Stephen Harris, Esq. Lieut. R. N. and late Resident in the 
Province of Tipperah in Bengal, - 1815 

Mrs. Anne Truscott, widow of Richard Truscott, Esq. of 
the Royal Navy, - 1820 

Miss Eliza Okeover Heming, daughter of Capt. George 
Heming, - 1816 

John Hey, D. D. Norrisian Professor of Divinity at Cam¬ 
bridge, from 1780 to 1795, - - 1815 

Richard Egan, son of Colonel Egan, of Bombay, 1827 
James Torre, Esq. of Snydale in the County of York, 1816 
Mr. Robert Gillam, Secretary to the British Institution ; 
to the Committee of Taste, and to the Society for Bet¬ 
tering the Condition of the Poor, - 1817 

John Grajr, M. D. late Physician of His Majesty’s Naval 
Hospital at Haslar, who died at his apartments, York 
Buildings, 1826. During the eventful period of the 
French Revolution War, Dr. Gray held various respon¬ 
sible offices connected with the Medical Department of 
the Navy ; St. Vincent, Nelson and Collingwood, were 
his personal friends. It was at the direct request of the 
Hero of the Nile, on his return from the pursuit of the 
French to the West Indies in 1805, that he was ap¬ 
pointed Physician to the Fleet, which won the Battle of 
Trafalgar. His merit was fully acknowledged, yet quite 
unobtrusive ; and such was the amiableness of his cha¬ 
racter, and the conciliatoriness of his manners, that 
though placed in some difficult situations, he made 
every one who knew him his Friend. 

Mr. William Bell, Gent. - - 1818 

John Oliver, Esq. of Hoole Hall in the County of 
Chester, - 1832 

John Jackson, Esq. R. A. - . - 1831 


at st. John’s wood chapel. 145 

Stanley, Infant son of Capt. William Edward Parry, R. N. 
and Isabella Louisa, his wife, 1828; also Isabella Maria, 
Infant daughter of the same parents, - 1828 

George Biglands, Esq. late of Oporto, - 1831 

Herbert Lawrence Welch, son ofM.L. Welch, Esq. 1832 
Thomas Leigh Whitter, Esq. - - 1830 

Patrick Closey, Esq. - - - 1831 

William M'Dowal Robinson, Esq. Royal Navy, 1829 
Adolphus Moscheles, - - 1829 

Miss Margaret Elin, daughter of John B. Elm, Esq. of 

Kingston, Jamaica, - - 1829 

Mary Saunders, Spinster, aged 60, - - 1829 

Lieut. Col. James Shortt, late of His Majesty’s 10th Regi¬ 
ment of Infantry, - 1829 

James Owen, Esq. - 1828 

Amelia, wife of Thomas Lord, Esq. - 1828 

Elizabeth Newbold Babington, widow of the late Rev. 
William Babington, Rector of Cossington in the Co. of 
Leicester, - - - 1832 

Thomas Creswick Watson, of the 3d Lt. Dragoons 1831 
Susanna Hume, late of the Island of Trinidad, 1830 



146 


CONDUITS AND WATER WORKS. 


Conduits and Water-Works. 

The principal source from which the inhabitants 
of the City of London obtained their water in the 
13th century, was from the springs rising on the 
high grounds on the north and western sides of the 
Capital, from which it was conveyed by pipes to 
different parts of the City. 

These conduits, and the springs from which they 
derived their supply, were considered of great 
importance by the Corporation; and some of its 
members bestowed considerable sums in establishing 
and keeping them in proper condition. 

About 1238-9, a large sum was raised by sub¬ 
scription in furtherance of a scheme for bringing 
water from nine conduits in and near the Village 
of Tyburn, which was accordingly carried into 
execution, and is the first instance upon record of 
water being conveyed to the city by pipes. In 
several parts of the city, conduits were erected for 
the reception of this water; the first of which was 
built in the year 1285, at the west end of Cheapside, 
then called West Cheap, and these conduits were 
found so convenient that they soon increased to 
nineteen in number. In 1431, the Tyburn water 
was laid into the Standard in Cheapside, at the 
expense of Sir John Wells, the late Mayor. It was 
customary for the Citizens to visit these conduits 
annually on the 18th of September, on horseback, 
accompanied by their ladies in waggons, when 
they had an allowance out of the city purse for a 
dinner; and it is noted by Strype, that on the 
18th of September, 1562, 64 The Lord Mayor, 
Aldermen, and many worshipful persons, rode to 
the conduit-lieads to see them, according to the 
old custom: then they went and hunted a hare 
bofore dinner, and killed her; and thence went to 


CONDUITS AND WATER WORKS. 147 

dinner at the Banquetting House, at the head of 
the conduit, where a great number were handsomely 
entertained by their Chamberlain. After dinner, 
they went to hunt the fox. There was a great cry 
for a mile, and at length the hounds killed him at 
the end of St. Giles’s, with great hollowing and 
blowing of horns at his death; and thence* the 
Lord Mayor, with all his company, rode through 
London, to his place in Lombard Street.” 

The establishment of the water-works at London 
Bridge in 1512, and the subsequent introduction 
of the New River in 1618, having superseded the 
use of the Tyburn water, the Corporation let the 
water of these conduits on a lease for forty-three 
years, for the sum of 700/. per annum. The Mary- 
le-bone water-works were in the possession of 
Hugh Merchant, lessee, in 1698, which had then 
been established thirty-six years; and supplied 
Covent Garden and St. Martin’s Lane. These 
water-works were situated at a short distance from 
the south end of Portland Place; Portland Chapel 
having been built on the site of Mary-le-Bone 
Basin, which was anciently a reservoir belonging 
to the said water-works. They are often mentioned 
in old Newspapers as the cause of many fatal 
accidents, and the scene of as many suicides.* 

One of these ancient conduit-heads is still in 
existence in Mary-le-bone Lane, near the corner 
of Wigmore Street, and another in Oxford Street, 
near North Audley Street : these conduits, which 
have long been disused, all communicated with 
each other by pipes under ground, and also with 
the cisterns which were formerly underneath the 
Lord Mayor’s Banquetting House. The water pipes 
used in those times were not always embedded in 
the earth as is the present custom, but inclosed 


* There is a view of this Basin by Chatelain in the British 
Museum. 


H 2 


148 


CONDUITS AND WATER WORKS. 


within a capacious arch of brick-work, on a table 
of stone, into which workmen could descend to 
repair any decay or accident. An arch of this 
description was discovered some years ago in Bond 
Street, leading from the conduits at Tyburn to 
others in the neighbourhood of Conduit Street, 
and has since been converted into a sewer. Some 
of these pipes have been discovered near Stratford 
Place, so completely corroded as to present the 
appearance of lace-work. 

The Parish is now supplied with water, partly 
by the Grand Junction Water-Works Company, 
but principally by the West Middlesex Water- 
Works Company, whose office is situated in the 
New Road, near Mary-le-bone Church, and who 
have an extensive reservoir on Barrow Hill, at 
the northern extremity of the Parish. 



STREETS AND SQUARES. 


149 


Oxford Street, 

originally called Tyburn Road, and subsequently 
named Oxford Street, is the site of the ancient 
military way, noticed p. 5, ante, and is described by 
Pennant as 66 a deep hollow road, full of sloughs; 
with here and there a ragged house, the lurking 
place of cut-throats, insomuch that I never was 
taken that way by night, in my hackney coach, to 
a worthy uncle’s, who gave me lodgings at his 
house in George Street, but I went in dread the 
whole way.” During the Civil Wars, in 1642, the 
Parliament ordered that trenches and ramparts 
should be made near all the highways leading to the 
City, and in different places about London and 
Westminster. These fortifications consisted of a 
strong earthern rampart, flanked with bastions, 
redoubts, &c., surrounding the whole city and its 
liberties, including Southwark. In Tyburn Road, 
in 1643, there were three forts erected, viz.—a re¬ 
doubt, with two flanks, near St. Giles’s Pound; a 
small fort at the east end of the road, and a large 
fort with four half bulwarks across the road oppo¬ 
site Wardour Street.* In a map of London, of the 

* In May and June, 1643, the erecting’ of these fortifications 
was prosecuted with uncommon zeal, as appears by the following 
extracts from the public papers:— 

“ May 8.—The work in the fields to trench the city goes on 
amain. Many thousands of men, women, and servants go out 
daily to work ; and this day there went out a great company of 
the Common Council, and divers other chief men of the city, with 
the greatest part of the trained bands, with spades, shovels, pick- 
axes, &c. May 9.—This day many thousands of citizens, their 
wives and families, went out to dig, and all the porters in and 
about the city, to the number of 2,000. May 23.—Five thousand 
feltmakers and cappers went to work at the trenches; near 3,000 
porters, with a great company of men, women, and children. 
May 24—Four or five thousand shoemakers. June 5.—Six 
housand tailors.”— Perfect Diurnal. 

“ It was wonderful to see how the women and children, and 
vast numbers of people, would come and work about digging and 
carrying of earth to make their new fortifications.”— Whitelock's 
Memorials , p. 60. 


150 


STREETS AND SQUARES. 


year 1707, King Street, Golden Square, is repre¬ 
sented as perfect to Oxford Road ; between which 
and Berwick Street were fields. Hence to St. 
Giles’s was covered with buildings; but from King 
Street westward not a house could be seen, such 
was the south side of Oxford Street: the north side 
contained a few scattered buildings; but not the 
least resemblance of streets, west of Tottenham 
Court-road. In a plan of the date of 1708, the 
Lord Mayor’s Banquetting-House is exhibited, 
standing at the south end of a field called Mill 
Hill Field. This house, which was a very commo¬ 
dious and handsome building, stood at the north 
east corner of a bridge, called the Banquetting 
House Bridge, near the spot where Stratford Place 
has been subsequently built: under this mansion 
were two cisterns for the reception of the water 
from the neighbouring conduits, but, it having 
been neglected for many years by the citizens, it 
was taken down in the year 1737, and the cisterns 
arched over. In the abovementioned plan is also 
shewn the Adam and Eve, which was a detached 
public-house situated by the road side, in a field 
called Dung Field, on or near the spot now called 
Adam and Eve Court, nearly opposite Poland 
Street; in a field near this house also stood the 
Boarded House, frequented by pugilists and prize¬ 
fighters; the line of houses on the north side of 
Oxford Street, appear, however, to have been com¬ 
pleted about 1729, and it was then called Oxford 
Street. Maitland, whose work was published in 
1739, says, “ this street of fine houses has been 
lately beautifully paved from St. Giles’s to the 
Banquetting-House Bridge; and the said bridge 
being only about 15 feet broad, it not only proved 
very incommodious to the numerous carriages, 
and travellers passing that way, but it likewise 
was very disgraceful to the spacious street on both 
sides thereof, wherefore the Commissioners for 


OXFORD STREET. 


151 


repairing the roads in these parts, applied to the 
Citizens of London for a piece of their ground to 
enlarge the same, which they not only generously 
granted, but likewise gave the sum of one hundred 
pounds towards defraying the expense of enlarge¬ 
ment.” The starlings or piers of this bridge 
remained an obstruction to the sewer, till within 
these few years, when the sewer underwent' a 
thorough repair, and these obstructions were re¬ 
moved. 

In the architecture of the buildings in this street 
there is nothing remarkable to describe: they are of 
all heights, and entirely destitute of uniformity: 
some of the houses have been rebuilt within the 
last twenty years, and have a beautiful appearance. 
This street, containing nearly 400 houses, is of an 
extensive width, and more than a mile in length, 
and may be now considered one of the most beautiful 
leading thoroughfares in the Metropolis. The long 
line of shops (with scarce a private house in the 
whole length of street), are fitted up in the most 
expensive style—the interiors brilliantly illumi¬ 
nated—and the display of a variety of costly articles 
of every description, calculated to please the eye 
and suit the taste of the most fastidious beholder, 
being tastefully arranged in the windows for sale; 
together with the brilliancy of the numerous paro¬ 
chial gas-lamps, render this street one of the most 
pleasing promenades of the West end of the 
Town. 

Oxford Street will give rise to many melancholy 
reflections, when it is remembered how many unfor¬ 
tunate criminals have passed through it for the 
purpose of paying the forfeit of their lives, as a 
sacrifice to the offended laws of their country. 
The public place of Execution for criminals con¬ 
victed in the County of Middlesex, having been 
formerly situated in this Parish, and at the west 
end of Oxford Street, near Tyburn Turnpike. It 


152 


PLACE OF EXECUTION. 


has been asserted, that criminals were executed 
on this spot as early as the reign of Henry II.* 
It would be idle to attempt to record the names of 
even one hundredth part of the criminals who have 
expiated their offences at this place. “ In 1626, 
Queen Henrietta Maria was compelled by her 
priests to do penance under ,the gallows at Tyburn: 
what her offence was we are not told, but Charles 
was so disgusted at this insolence, that he soon 
after sent them, and all her Majesty’s French 
servants, out of the kingdom.” f On the 29th of 
November, 1628, John Felton, who stabbed the 
Duke of Buckingham, Aug. 23d of the same year, 
was executed here. “ This Felton was a man of 
that stout spirit, that upon receiving an injury 
from a gentleman, he cut off a piece of his little 
finger, and sent it him with a challenge, to let him 
know he valued not his whole body, so* he might 
obtain his revenge.” J Here also at different pe¬ 
riods in the last century, suffered the two Perreau’s, 
brothers, and the Rev. Dr. Dodd, for forgery; 
Hackman, for shooting Miss Reay, as she was coming 
out of the theatre, and the infamous Catherine 
Hayes, for the murder of her husband (who had 
resided in this Parish) which w r as attended with 
uncommon atrocity. The latter criminal suffered 
the utmost severity of her sentence; being literally 
burnt alive, in consequence (as it w r as said) of the 

* Sir Robert Tresilian, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench, and 
Sir Nicholas Brembre were executed at Tyburn in the reign of 
Richard II. (13S8), for High Treason ; and a late writer says :— 
“ In regard to Tyburn, I have taken some trouble to ascertain 
when it tirst became a place of execution, but have not been able 
to trace it earlier than the period when these eminent individuals 
suffered there; and I doubt whether any authentic record of a 
prior date can be adduced on this point.”— Dobie's Hist, of St. 
Giles' in the Fields. 

Whitelock. In the illustrated Pennant in the Print-room at 
the British Museum, is a plate exhibiting the Queen in the act of 
kneeling under the gallows. 

J Echard, p. 440, b. Peck’s Desiderata Curiosn. 


PLACE OF EXECUTION. 


153 

indignation of the populace, who would not suffer 
the executioner to strangle her (as w T as usual) 
before the fire was kindled. 

The gallows, which was triangular, was for many 
years a standing fixture, on a small eminence at 
the corner of the Edgware Road, near the Turnpike, 
on the identical spot where a tool house has been 
since erected by the Uxbridge Road Trust; be- 
neath this place lie the bones of Ireton, Brad¬ 
shaw, and other of the regicides, which w ere taken 
from their graves after the restoration, and buried 
under the gallows, with every mark of indignation 
and contempt. In the early part of the last century, 
the frequency of executions on this spot, was con¬ 
sidered so annoying, that it was proposed to select 
another for that purpose, and Kingsland w$s said 
to have been contemplated as a more convenient 
place: this proposal w r as, however, never acted 
upon; but, after the buildings had become nume¬ 
rous, and were still increasing, the gallows was 
removed (after being used) and deposited in a 
house which is still standing at the corner of 
Upper Bryanston Street and the Edgware-road: 
this house has at this day curious iron balconiesi 
to the windows of the first and second floors, 
wdiich w T ere used by the sheriffs when attending 
in their official capacity as witnesses of the execu¬ 
tions. To pursue this powerful instrument of death 
to the termination of its existence, it appears that 
in 1783, when Tyburn ceased to be the place of 
execution, the gallows was purchased by a carpenter 
and converted into stands for beer butts, in the 
cellars of a public-house in the neighbourhood, viz. 
the Carpenter’s Arms in Adams Street. 

“ The awful procession to Tyburn, intended to 
impress the multitude w r ith sentiments of reverence 
for the law r s of their country, produced a very con¬ 
trary effect; and the eager and detestable curio¬ 
sity of the populace, to witness executions, became 
a source of considerable emolument to certain mis- 


154 


STREETS AND SQUARES. 


creants, who were in the habit of erecting scaffolds 
for spectators; many of these scaffolds were sub¬ 
stantial wooden building's, and erected at every 
point from whence a glimpse of the execution could 
be obtained; the prices for seats varied according 
to the turpitude or quality of the criminal:—Dr. 
Hensey was to have been executed for High Trea¬ 
son in 1758, the prices of seats for that exhibition 
amounted to 2s. and 2s. 6d .; but, in the midst of 
general expectation, the Doctor was most provok- 
ingly reprieved. As the mob descended from their 
stations with unwilling steps, it occurred to them, 
that, as they had been deprived of the intended 
entertainment , the proprietors of the seats ought to 
return the admission-money; which they demanded 
in terms vociferous , and with blows offensive , and 
in short, exercised their happy talent for rioting 
with unbounded success.* On this occasion a vast 
number of these erections were destroyed. 

The place of execution was removed to Newgate 
in 1783, Ryland, executed for forgery, was the last 
criminal who suffered at Tyburn. The first crimi¬ 
nal who was executed by a machine then newly 
invented, and called the “ New Drop” was launched 
into eternity on the 9th of December in that year. 
To shew the prevailing extent of crime at this 
period, it is only necessary to observe, that fifteen 
persons were executed June 23, 1784, and from 
February to December, in 1785, no less than 
ninety-six individuals suffered at Newgate by this 
new machine. 


Cavendish Square. 

In the year 1715,f the plan for building Caven¬ 
dish Square, and several new streets on the north 

* Malcolm’s Lond. 

■f Evening Post y March 16, 1715.—On Wednesday last four 
gentlemen were robbed and stripped in the fields between London 
and Marybone. 


CAVENDISH SQUARE. 


155 

side of Tyburn Road, was first suggested; about 
two years afterwards the ground was laid out, and 
the circular piece in the centre, inclosed, planted, 
and surrounded by a parapet and iron railing. 
The whole of the north side was taken by the cele¬ 
brated Janies Brydges Duke of Chandos, (then Earl 
of Carnarvon) who acquired a princely fortune as 
pay-master of the forces in Queen Anne’s Reign, 
and who was afterwards called “ The Grand Duke” 
from the grandeur and state in which he lived. 

The Duke, it is said, took this immense plot of 
ground, which extended a long way back towards 
the north, with the intention of building a town 
residence, correspondent with that of Cannons. 
Of this he completed no more than the wings, which 
are sufficiently spacious to have become stately 
mansions. One, was that large mansion at the 
corner of Harley Street, formerly occupied by the 
Princess Amelia, aunt to George III. and afterwards 
by the Earl of Hopetown, and the Messrs. Hopes 
of Amsterdam ; on whose quitting, it was purchased 
by George Watson Taylor, Esq. who expended an 
immense sum in altering and beautifying it; but 
after a few years further alterations were made, 
and the domestic offices belonging to the original 
building, which extended some distance up Harley 
Street, being taken down, six additional houses of 
considerable dimensions were erected on their site. 
This house is now in the occupation of Viscount 
Beresford. The other wing was the corresponding 
mansion at the corner of Chandos Street, now in 
the occupation of His Grace the Duke of Rich¬ 
mond. The centre part is occupied by two splen¬ 
did mansions with handsome stone fronts. They 
contain a rustic basement story, which supports a 
range of handsome Corinthian columns, crowned 
with their proper entablature. Above these is a 
triangular pediment, in which is a circular port-hole 
window ornamented with a wreath, and the roof is 


156 


STREETS AND SQUARES, 


concealed by an attic balustrade; they were de¬ 
signed by James, of Greenwich, who was architect 
to the Duke of Chandos. The vacancy between 
one of these houses and the corner house of Harley 
Street, has been lately tilled up by a modern build¬ 
ing, now the residence of Sir R. Frankland. 

At this period, Harcourt House, the largest 
mansion on the east side, and Bingley House, now 
Harcourt House, on the west side, a noble mansion 
designed by Inigo Jones, were the only other houses 
in this square. The latter, which is 153 feet in 
length, and 70 feet in breadth, is entirely concealed 
from view by a high brick wall, which may have been 
deemed necessary at the time of its erection, from 
its solitary and dangerous situation. It is now the 
residence of His Grace the Duke of Portland, who 
has erected a handsome range of stable and domestic 
offices at the back of the house, in Wimpole Street, 
in the style of the mansion, from the design, and 
under the superintendance of Samuel Ware, Esq. 
his Grace’s architect. The South Sea failure in 
1720, caused a temporary suspension of building, 
and it was several years before the square was 
completed. The following anecdote is related in 
the European Magazine , vol. 52.— 44 At one time, 
during the South Sea bubble, the Duke ofChandos’s 
stock was worth £300,000. He went to the old 
Duke of Newcastle to consult what to do ? He 
advised him to sell. No : he wanted half a million : 
— 44 Why then,” said the Duke, 44 sell £100,000. 
and take your chance for the rest.”—No! he kept 
all, and lost all !* 

The following paragraphs will serve to point out 
an historical fact, and shew the curious ideas enter¬ 
tained of these improvements at the time. The 
Weekly Medley , of Sept. 13, 1718, observes :— 

“ Round about the New Square which is building near 
Tybourn-Road, there are so many other edifices, that a 
whole magnificent city seems to be risen out of the 


CAVENDISH SQUARE. 


157 


ground, that one would wonder how it should find a new 
set of inhabitants. It is said it will be called by the 
name of Hanover Square. On the opposite side of the 
way, towards Mary-le-bone, which seems a higher and 
finer situation, is marked out a very spacious and noble 
Square, and many streets that are to form avenues to it. 
This Square, we hear, is to be called Oxford-square, and 
that ground has been taken to build houses in it by the 
Right Honourable Lords, the Earl of Oxford, the Earl 
of Carnarvon, the Lord Harcourt, the Lord Harley, and 
several other Noble Peers of Great Britain. The ground 
sold at first for 2s. 6d. per foot, afterwards for 15s.” 

The following ill-natured observations also ap¬ 
peared in the Weekly Medley , of Sept. 1719 :— 

“ Not far from Tavistock-street, lives a man by pro¬ 
fession a Measure]- and Surveyor ; this fellow is everlast¬ 
ingly boasting of himself, and vapouring of his perfor¬ 
mances, and has the boldness to style himself the Prince 
of that calling. If towards being a Prince of a trade, it 
is necessary to make himself wealthy and great, by un¬ 
doing all that are subject to his management, he richly 
deserves the name ; for you must understand, that as 
among authors there is a cacoethes scribendi , so there is 
an aedificandi cacoethes , or an itch of building, that pie- 
vails much among our tribe that dabble in mortar. All 
the raw and inexperienced workmen that lie under this 
evil, have been drawn by this boaster to build in and 
about Hanover-square, till they have built themselves 
quite out of doors in this part of the world, and so are 
obliged to cross the water, to another climate, and take 
up their lodgings in Mint Square; where they still rear 
palaces in their imaginations, and metamorphose them¬ 
selves into that species of men called castle-builders; 
and there they and their families fill their mouths with 
curses against their projecting Prince 

In the centre of the enclosure is an equestrian 
Statue of William Duke of Cumberland, by Chew, 
erected in 1770, at the expense of Lieutenant- 
General William Strode, 44 in gratitude for private 
kindness, and in honour of public virtue.” There 


158 


STREETS AND SQUARES. 


is a burlesque representation of this statue as a 
vignette to a work entitled, Critical Observations 
on the Buildings and Improvements of London, by 
J. Stuart, 4to. 1771. This Statue was re-gilt in 
1783, at the expense of the Princess Amelia. 
Adjoining to Harcourt House, formerly 'resided 
the celebrated Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham. 
At the south-east corner of the square is the 
Banking-house of Sir Claude Scott, and Co. con¬ 
venient offices having been erected on the garden 
at the back for carrying on the business: the 
entrance to these offices is in Margaret Street. 

Cavendish Square now contains 37 houses ; those 
on the south side extending from the corner of 
Old Cavendish Street to the corner of Margaret 
Street,beingnumbered in the square : the following 
persons of high rank reside in this square. The 
Dukes of Portland and Richmond; Marquis of 
Titchfield, Earls of Wicklow, Charleville; Lords 
George and Henry Bentinck; Viscounts Duncannon 
and Beresford; Countess of Antrim; Lord C. 
Townshend, Lord Duflerin ; Honourable William 
and Lady Louisa Duncombe; Sir George G. 
Tuthill, M. D.; Marquis of Winchester; Sir W. 
Browne Folkes; Sir Edward C. Dering, Bart.; 
Major-General Sir Charles Dalbiac; Lieutenant- 
Colonel Reid; Sir Martin A. Shee, P.R.A.; S. 
Love Hammick, Surgeon; Mrs. Baillie; Dr. A. 
P. W. Philip; Edmund Macdonnel, Esq.; Captain 
and Mrs. Polhill; Charles Scott Murray, Esq.; 
Sir R. Frankland; Hon. Mrs. Marley; Stephen 
Thornton, Esq.; Thomas Hamlet, Esq.; Dowager 
Lady Astley; Walter Calvert, Esq.; Frederick 
Reade, Esq.; Mrs. Bertie Matthew; Richard 
Parrott, Esq.; Dr. John Sims; John Ogilvie, Esq. 
Here is also, at the corner of Holies Street, a large 
Hotel comprising two extensive houses, kept by 
Marshall Thompson. 

To induce the builders to speculate, a Chapel 


CAVENDISH SQUARE. 


159 

and a Market was projected for the convenience 
of the inhabitants. The Chapel was erected in 
Vere Street, from the designs of Gibbs, and com¬ 
pleted about 1724, but the Market, although erected 
about the same period, was not opened until the 
year 1731, owing to the opposition of Lord Craven, 
who was fearful that it would affect the profits of 
Carnaby Market. Edward, Earl of Oxford, however, 
finally obtained a grant, under the great Seal, in 
1731, “ authorising himself, his lady, and their 
heirs, to hold a Market, on Mondays, Wednesdays, 
and Saturdays, for the sale of flesh, fish, fowls, 
herbs, and all other provisions.” However this 
Market may have answered the expectations of 
the projectors at the time of its erection, does not 
appear, but it is certain, that its trade has not kept 
pace in a proportionate ratio with the increase of 
population, and upon its being repaired a few years 
since, the interior was converted into a large room, 
and used as an office for the payment of the Out- 
pensioners of Chelsea Hospital. The shops in 
this Market-place are quite of an ordinary descrip¬ 
tion. 

About 1729, most of the streets leading to 
Cavendish Square were began to be built, and the 
ground laid out for others : these streets were 
named after the families of the proprietors of the 
land, their titles, or country-seats, a fashion which 
has prevailed ever since all over the parish, viz. 
Henrietta Street, Vere Street,* Holies Street, 

* This Street was named after the Veres Earls of Oxford.— 
March 12, 1703, died Aubrey de Vere, the twentieth and last 
Earl of Oxford of the de Veres. The changes of the eventful times 
in which he lived did not seem to affeet him ; he. was so passive 
under Oliver the Protector tbai he was not even fined ; and, when 
AVilliam caine over, he went over to him from James 11. He had 
been easy with the gay and frolicsome Charles II, grave with 
William III., and was graceful in old age at the Court of Queen 
Anne. After the death of Charles I , to whom he was Lord of the 
Bedchamber, he became Lieutenant-General of the Forces, Colonel 
and Captain of the Horse Guards, Justice in Eyre, Lo/d Liente-. 


STREETS AND SQUARES. 


1G0 

Margaret Street, Cavendish Street, Welbeck Street, 
Wimpole Street, Princes Street, Bolsover Street, 
(not now existing) Castle Street, John Street, 
Market Street, Harley Street, Mortimer Street, &c. 

Captain Rathbone commenced the erection of 
Rathbone Place about 1720; he died in 1721: 
Wells Street was also commenced about this period. 

In a Map published in 1742, the diminutive 
church of St. Mary-le-bone is exhibited detached 
from London, with two zig-zag ways leading to it, 
one near Vere Street, which was the then western 
boundary of the new buildings, and the second 
from Tottenham-Court-Road. Rows of houses 
with their backs to the fields extended from St. 
Giles’s Pound to Oxford Market, but Tottenham- 
Court-Road, had only .ope cluster on the west side, 
and the spring-water house. Hence it will be 
observed, that Oxford Street, from Oxford Market 
to Vere Street on the south and west, and Mary- 
bone Street on the north, and the site of Titchfield 
Street on the east, formed the outline of the new 
buildings. The zig-zag way above-mentioned near 
Vere Street, still retaining 'its original name of 
Mary-le-bone Lane, was the communication between 
the high road and the village. 

nant and Gustos Rotulorum of the County of Essex. He had been 
a Privy Counsellor to him and each subsequent sovereign, and was 
Hereditary Lord Chamberlain, Senior Knight of the Garter, and 
Premier Earl of England. He married Anne, daughter of Paul, 
Viscount Bayning. He may he said to have committed polygamy 
by the following act: a lady, whose name is not known, was cele¬ 
brated for the perfonnance of the part of Roxana on the stage; 
influenced by violent love, and unable to succeed in his purpose by 
other means, he prevailed on her to consent to a private marriage. 
It was afterwards discovered to ha> ebeen celebrated by the Earl’s 
trumpeter in the character of a priest, and witnessed by his kettle 
drummer. His father, the valiant Robert de Vere, Earl of Ox¬ 
ford, had nobly married Beatrix Van Hemims, a boor’s daughter 
of Friezeland.— Noble. 


HIGH STREET. 


161 


HIGH STREET, 

Being situated in the centre of the Parish, 
formerly comprised the principal part ofthe Village 
of Mary-le-bone: the Church, the Royal Palace, 
the Rose Tavern, and Bowling-greens,the splendid 
mansion built for the purpose of containing the 
Earl of Oxford’s Library, the Rose of Normandy, 
and a few detached houses with gardens formed 
the prominent features of its early days; the eas¬ 
tern entrance to the Parish Church yard, and the 
Infant School, the National School, the Police 
Office, and the Parish Charity School being the 
principal modern additions. The houses have 
nothing to recommend them in point of archi¬ 
tectural beauty, being plaifTbrick buildings; and 
from their having been built at various periods are 
destitute of uniformity; they are however, princi¬ 
pally occupied by respectable tradesmen. 

The Rose of Normandy. 

This House, supposed to have been built about 
200 years ago, and the oldest now existing in the 
Parish, is situated on the East side of the street; 
was formerly a detached building, used as the 
house of entertainment in connection with the 
Bowling-green at the back. The following descrip¬ 
tion of this Bowling-green, from Mem. by Sam. 
Sainthill, 1659, appeared in the Gent. Mag. vol. 
83, pt i. p. 524. “ The outside a square brick 

wall, set with fruit trees, gravel walks, 204 paces 
long, seven broad; the circular walk 485 paces, 
six broad, the centre square, a Bowling-green, 
112 paces one way, 88 another; all except the 
first, double set with quickset hedges, full grown 
and kept in excellent order, and indented like 
town walls.” * The entrance to this House is by 

* In a map of the Duke of Portland’s estate of 1708, there are 


162 


MARY-LE-BONE GARDENS. 


descending a flight of steps, the street having been 
raised at a later period: it has been repaired at 
various times, but the original form of the exterior 
has been preserved, and the staircase and ballusters 
are coeval with the erection of the building : an 
extensive yard at the back is laid out as skittle 
grounds, and is level with the ground floor of the 
house. This House is now one of the best con¬ 
ducted public houses in the Parish, the company 
consisting of the most respectable tradesmen and 
ancient inhabitants of the neighbourhood, the 
worthy host, Mr. Bradley, having tenanted the 
house for more than 26 years; and the obliging 
hostess having been born in the Old Manor House, 
described, p. 32. 

Mary-le-bone Gardens. 

On the site which is now occupied by Beaumont 
Street, Devonshire Street, and part of Devonshire 
Place, was formerly a celebrated place of amuse- 

two Bowling.greens exhibited, one of which was sitnated near the 
top of High Street, and abutting on the grounds of the Old Manor 
House : the other was situated at the hack of this house •, the street 
afterwards called Bowling-Green I ane, hut now Bawling Street, 
having formed its southern boundary: in connection with the first 
was a nored tavern and gaming-house, called the Bose Tavern, 
much frequented by persons of the first rank. It afterwards grew 
into much disrepute. This is perhaps the place alluded to by 
Lady Mary Wortley Montague, in this line:— 

€t Some Dukes at Marybone bowl time away 

and which is meant hv Pennant, who when speaking of the Duke 
of Buckingham's minute description of the house afterwards the 
Queen’s Palace, and his manner of living- there, says ;—“ He has 
omitted his constant visits to the noted gaming-house, at Mary¬ 
bone ; the place of assemblage of all the infamous sharpers of the 
time j” to whom his Grace always gave a <liliner at the conclusion 
of the season • and his parting mast, was, “ May as many of jts 
as remain unhanged next springy meet here again." These 
Bowling-Greens were, however, afterwards incorporated in that 
well-known place of entertainment, called Marybone Gardens. 


MARY-LE-BONE GARDENS. 


163 


ment, known by the name of Marybone Gardens. 
From the circumstance of a French Chapel having 
been erected upon this spot it was called by some 
the French Gardens. Marybone Gardens were 
opened before the year 1737, the Public having 
free access; the sum of one shilling being then 
first demanded for admission by Gough the pro¬ 
prietor, for which an equivalent was to be received 
in refreshments. As these gardens became more 
fashionable, various entertainments were provided. 
Balls and evening concerts were given; some of 
the first singers were generally engaged there, 
and fire-works were frequently exhibited. The 
musical department w r as for some time under the 
direction of Dr. Arne, and the enchanting Music 
of Handel and other celebrated composers was 
often heard in the orchestra there. The fire-works 
were under the superintendance of Signor Torre. 

44 In 1772, the entertainment of an evening at 
Marybone Gardens, in this year consisted (after 
the representation of Mount H£tna, as an addition 
to the usual concerts and songs was performed) 
of the common fire-works, consisting of vertical 
wheels, suns, stars, globes, &c. in honour of the 
King’s Birth-day, June 4, 1772, who was, with 
the Queen, represented in transparencies sur¬ 
rounded by stars. When the fire-works were 
concluded, a curtain, which covered the base of 
the mountain, rose and discovered Vulcan leading 
the Cyclops to work at their forge; the fire 
blazed, and Venus entered with Cupid at her side, 
who begged them to make for her son those arrows 
which are said to be the causes of love in the 
human breast: they assented, and the mountain 
immediately appeared in eruption, with lava 
rushing down the precipices.” 

Dr. Kenrick, the Author of the Duellist, opened 
a Course of Lectures in the Theatre for Burlettas 
at Marybone Gardens, in July, 1774, which he 


164 


MARY-LE-BONE GARDENS. 


termed 44 a School of Shakspeare,” where he re¬ 
cited different parts of the works of our inimitable 
dramatist, and particularly that of Sir John Fal- 
staff, with much success, to crowded audiences. 

The Newspapers of that month vented severe 
complaints against the proprietors of these gardens, 
for having demanded 5s. entrance money to a 
Fete Champetre, which consisted of nothing more 
than a few tawdry festoons and extra lamps; indeed 
they appear to have been suggested by the conduct 
of the spectators, who demolished most of the 
brittle wares of the scene, and injured the stage. 
A second attempt produced this description:— 
44 The orchestra, boxes, theatre, and every part 
of the gardens were beautifully illuminated at a 
vast expense, with lamps of various colours, dis¬ 
posed with great taste and elegance. The grass- 
plat before M. Torre’s building was surrounded 
with two semi-circular rows of trees, and hedges, 
prettily contrived, divided, and forming two walks; 
and between every tree hung a double row of 
lamps bending downwards: between every break 
orange and lemon-trees were placed, and the whole 
was hung with festoons of flowers, and other pastoral 
emblems. On this place the rural entertainment 
was held, consisting of singing and dancing; several 
airs were w ell sung by Mr. Thompson, Mr. Bannister, 
Miss Wewitzer, and the rest of the performers. 
On the left hand of this rural scene was a stile, 
and a walk wdiich led to a temple sacred to Hymen, 
which was transparent, and had a very pretty effect, 
when viewed at a distance. The gardens were not 
clear of company at six o’clock next morning.” 

The following is a description of an evening’s 
entertainment at these Gardens, taken from a News¬ 
paper in which it appeared a few days after it had 
taken place, and in which there are some curious 
allusions to the fashion of the Ladies Head-dresses 
pfthat date, 


MARY-LE-BONE GARDENS. 165 

“ On Tuesday Evening, July 28, 1776, Mary* 
bone Gardens exhibited a scene equally novel and 
agreeable; namely, a representation of the Boule¬ 
vards of Paris. The boxes fronting the ball-room, 
which were converted into shops, had a very 
pleasing effect, and were occupied by persons 
with the following supposititious names, legible by 
means of transparent paintings. Crotchet a music- 
shop: a gingerbread-shop (no name), the owner 
in a large bag-wig and deep ruffles, a-la-mode de 
Paris ; Medley (from Darley’s) a print-shop; New - 
fangle, a milliner; a hardware shop a,nd lottery- 
office in one (the price of tickets 11/. 14s.) La 
Blonde , a milliner; Pine , a fruiterer; Trinket , a 
toyman; Fillagree , ditto; Mr. Gimcrack , the shop 
unoccupied, and nothing in it but two paper kites; 
Tete, a hair-dresser. The shop-keepers seemed 
rather dull and awkward at their business, till the 
humour of the company had raised their spirits by 
purchasing; and then, in proportion to their trade, 
their diligence advanced. Madame Pine , Messrs. 
Trinket , and Le Marchand de Gingerbread , ran 
aw r ay with the custom from all their competitors. 
Mr. Tete indeed w ould have had a good share of 
trade, but that the ladies were previously provided 
with every article he had to sell, and superior of 
the kind; for if his head-dresses were as big as a 
peck, many of theirs could not be crammed into a 
bushel. 

u The Ball-room was illuminated in an elegant 
manner with coloured lamps; and at one end of it 
women attended, selling orgeat, lemonade, and 
other cooling liquors. This was intended as a 
representation of the English Coffee-house at Paris. 

“ There was a great variety of different amuse¬ 
ments ; and amongst the rest a booth representing 
that of Signor Nicola at Paris, in which eight men, 
at the command of the supposed Signor, who was 
behind the scenes, exhibited a dance called the 


166 


MAR Y-LE-BONE GARDENS. 


Egyptian Pyramids, standing on the backs, arms, 
and shoulders of each other, to an astonishing 
height.” 

As the Population of the neighbourhood in¬ 
creased, much uneasiness arose in the minds of 
the inhabitants, lest some accident should be occa¬ 
sioned by the fire-works, which producing frequent 
complaints to the Magistrates, these Gardens were 
finally suppressed in 1778, and the site let to 
builders. 

Extract from a Deed of Assignment made by 
Thomas Lowe, conveying his property in Marybone 
Gardens to certain Trustees, for the benefit of his 
Creditors, on the 3d of Feb. in the 9th Geo. III. 
viz. 1769. 

By Indenture bearing date the 30th day of 
August, 1763, made between Robert Long, of the 
Parish of St. Mary-le-bone, otherwise Marybone, 
Esq. and the said Thomas Lowe, the said Robert 
Long, in consideration of the yearly rent, did 
demise unto the said Thomas Lowe, all that 
Messuage then or then before called the Rose 
Tavern, situate and being in the Parish of St. 
Mary-le-bone aforesaid, with the tap-house there¬ 
unto belonging, and also a Room or Building 
known by the name of the French Chapel, together 
with a stable or brewhouse adjoining, or near to 
the same, and also all that other Messuage, situate 
in the same parish, then before in the possession 
of Daniel Gough, on the East side of the town 
of Saint Mary-le-Bone, alias Marybone, fronting 
towards the West on the Road leading to Marybone 
Church, and North on a Gateway or passage 
leading from the said Road into Marybone Gardens. 
And also all that great Garden and the several 
pieces or parcels of garden ground and walks to 
the said Messuages or either of them belonging, 
which had been lately used therewith by the theti 


MARY-LE-BONE GARDENS. 


167 


late Tenants of the said Messuages in the carrying 
on a Musical Entertainment at Marybone Gardens, 
and also the orchestra, and all Rooms and Buildings 
erected, built and set upon the said pieces and 
parcels of ground or any part thereof, and also the 
organ then standing in the said orchestra, and also 
a harpsichord and all the musical books and music 
then being on the said premises, and used in carry¬ 
ing on the said musical entertainment, and all 
boxes, benches, tables, lamps, lamp-posts, and all 
other fixtures, belonging to the said Messuages 
or tenements, pieces or parcels of ground which 
were the property of the said Robert Long, and all 
the passage lights, profits or commodious advan¬ 
tages appointed to the tenants of the said messuages 
or said pieces of ground, belonging or therewith 
held or enjoyed, except reserving to the said 
Robert Long, all that small piece of garden ground 
and a small tenement built thereon, then in the 
possession of Mr. Flanders, and another small 
piece of ground with a shed or tenement built 
thereon, late in the possession of Mr. Claxton, 
but then unlet, and also another small piece of 
ground with a tenement or shed built thereon, 
then in the possession of Mr. Gray Cutler, and 
also another piece of ground with a tenement built 
thereon, then in the possession of Mr. Rysbrach, 
statuary, all which excepted premises had been 
parted off* from the said Great Garden , and had 
been held and enjoyed separately from the same. 
And also, except and always reserving to the said 
Robert Long and his tenants free liberty to pass 
and repass in through and from the public walks 
of the said great gardens at all convenient times 
to the said excepted premises. To Hold the same 
(except as before excepted) unto the said Thomas 
Lowe, his Executor and Assigns, from the Feast 
Day of St. Michael the Archangel, next ensuing, 
for and during the full end and term of 14 years 


MARY-LE-BONE GARDENS. 


168 

from thence, and fully to be compleat and ended, 
at and under the yearly rent of 170 pounds of 
lawful money of Great Britain payable quarterly, 
in manner thereiu-mentioned. 

And on the 31st of Aug. James Dulling, Robert 
Wright of the Parish of West Ham, in the County 
of Essex, Coal Merchant, and Francis Walsingham, 
together with the said Thomas Lowe, became 
bound to the said Robert Long in the penal sum 
of five hundred pounds conditioned for the payment 
of the rent, and performances of the contract. 

This property was subsequently in 1768, assigned 
to George Forbes and Andrew Mitchie, Trustees, 
for the benefit of the Creditors. 


In the Dr. and Cr. Account appear the following 
items:— 

Expenses. 

To Mr. Hook, the Music Master 
Mr. Lowe’s weekly allowance 
To Advertisements and Waiters 
To Mr. Medhurst, for Chickens 
To the Patrol 
To Master Brown 


To Miss Davies 
To Mr. Taylor 
To the Gardener 
To Candles 
To Washing 

To One Hundred Lemons 
To Water Cakes 
To Beer 

To Servants Wages 
To the Band of Music 
To laying out the Books and attending ) 
the Music . S 

To the Doorkeepers 
To attending the Organ 
To Miss Davies . . . . 


£. 

4 
2 
1 

5 
0 
4 
3 
2 
0 

3 
0 
0 
0 

4 
1 

27 


4 

2 

6 

8 

16 

4 

3 
2 
9 
0 

18 

10 

6 

4 
8 

13 


19 

7 

2 


d. 

0 

0 

10 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

10 

0 

0 

0 

0 

8 


0 9 0 




mary-le-bone gardens. 169 

_ £. s. d. 

To Mr. Phillips . . . .220 

To Mr. Taylor . . . .18 0 

To Mr. Thomas, for the Ore fan .060 

To 12 Doorkeepers and 2 Patrols .430 
To the Doorkeeper for 6 Sundays .060 
To the Constable for 4 Sundays .040 
To Servants’ wages . . .18 6 

To one Advertisement . . .050 

To Writing Music . . . 1 13 6 

To one Watchman . . .010 

To the Music Licence . . .14 9 

To Mr. Wakefield . . . 0 12 0 


The Expenses of the Establishment from Nov. 
12, 1767, to Jan. 31, 1769, were £1534 11*. 9 d. 

Receipts. £. s. d. 

By received in part of the Expenses of 

Mr. Brown’s Benefit . . 10 10 0 

By Ditto Benefit of the Band of Music 9 4 0 
By Ditto Mr. Taylor’s Benefit . . 13 2 6 

By Ditto Miss Davis’s Benefit . .686 

By Dr. Arne, for Wine . . . 2 14 6 

By one Ticket . . . .1116 

The Receipts at the Door do not appear 

to have exceeded on any one night 15 0 0 

But the Receipts at the Bar frequently exceeded 
£50; and on one occasion, the 8 th of Sept. 1768, 
they amounted to £65. 65 . 4 d. 

In the Schedule the usual description of furniture 
is only exhibited, excepting that in the Temple, 
two Busts of Handel and Shakspeare are mentioned. 
Deed of Trust , dated 3 d of Feb. 1769.* 


* The above Deed is now in the possession of Sampson Hodg- 
kinson, Esq. who in the most kind and obliging- manner, allowed 
the above Extract to be copied. 


I 





170 


CHARITY SCHOOL. 


PARISH CHARITY SCHOOL. 

This Charity was first established in the year 
1750, for instructing, clothing, qualifying for useful 
servants, and apprenticing, the Children of indus¬ 
trious poor Parishioners; and the Countess of 
Oxford having granted to the Trustees a piece of 
ground in High-street, at that time called “ lower 
Church Field,” for the term of 999 years, from 
the year 1754, at a peppercorn rent, the School- 
house was erected on this site, and the Charity 
assumed a permanent form. From that time to 
the present, various donations, legacies, and sub¬ 
scriptions have been received from benevolent 
individuals; and the objects of the Charity have 
been modified and altered, from time to time, as 
its funds extended and the circumstances of the 
parish changed, until it was enabled to clothe, 
educate, and maintain Sixty Boys and Sixty Girls. 

In 1768, Twenty girls were maintained, and 
clothed, and forty boys clothed. 

1770, Twenty-six girls maintained, and forty 
boys clothed. 

1785, Twenty-six girls and forty boys maintained 
and clothed. 

1789, Twenty-eight girls and forty boys. 

1791, Thirty girls and fifty boys. 

1792, Thirty-two girls and fifty boys. 

1793, Thirty-eight girls and fifty boys. 

1795, Forty-four girls and fifty boys. 

1802, Fifty girls and fifty boys. 

1815, Fifty-four girls and fifty-four boys. 

1818, Sixty girls and sixty boys. 

1820, Sixty girls and fifty boys. 

1822, Sixty girls and sixty boys. 

Upwards of Two Thousand and ten Children, 

have been Maintained and Educated by this 
Charity ! ! ! 


CHARITY SCHOOL. 


171 

Upon this plan the Charity was conducted for 
some years, with various success. The state of 
the Girls’ School was generally such as to satisfy 
the wishes of the Subscribers, and give them just 
grounds for believing that great and permanent 
benefit was secured to the objects of their bounty. 

The Boys’ School could never be brought into 
so satisfactory a state; and after every expedient 
which the deliberate judgment of the Trustees 
could suggest had been tried without success, and 
the disposable funds of the Charity had been 
exhausted in fruitless endeavours to remedy the 
defects and preserve the discipline of this branch 
of the Institution, the Subscribers at last resolved, 
after repeated and anxious discussions of the ques¬ 
tion, to abolish the Boys’ School altogether, from 
the 5th of January, 1829; and in future to devote 
the funds of the Charity, exclusively, to the educa¬ 
tion, clothing, and maintenance of Girls. 

The Trustees have already increased the number 
of Girls in the School to one hundred and five . 
They are also endeavouring to make arrange¬ 
ments which will enable them to receive twenty 
more , as soon as the funds of the Charity appear 
to justify such a measure; at present it is to be re¬ 
gretted, that the annual income of the Charity is 
found barely to equal its annual expenditure ; and 
that the continuance of the Establishment, even 
upon its present contracted scale, will depend upon 
the increased exertions of its friends and supporters . 

The system of education pursued in the School 
remains unchanged; the Girls are taught to read 
and write, and are practised in such of the rules of 
arithmetic as the Trustees think necessary ; they 
also learn plain-work, and regularly assist in per¬ 
forming the domestic offices in the house, that they 
may be trained to the habits and duties of useful 
servants. Above all, they are carefully instructed 
in the knowledge of their religion and the practice 
of its duties. i 2 


172 


CHARITY SCHOOL. 


When fifteen years of age they are discharged: 
they then receive a Bible and a Common Prayer 
Book, a short formulary of private prayer, and a 
printed exhortation to the proper discharge of their 
duty. As a reward for past good conduct, and an 
encouragement to persevere in the. same laudable 
course, the sum of two guineas is given to such of 
the girls as can produce a certificate, within three 
years after leaving the school, of their having 
remained in the employ of one master or mistress 
for the space of two years ; or certificates, within 
five years, of their having been in two employments 
for periods amounting together to at least three 
years ; in either case, having, during the time of 
their respective services, conducted themselves 
with honesty, sobriety, and diligence. 

It is only justice to say, that in their individual 
capacity, the Trustees of this Charity have been 
the zealous advocates of the district National Day 
Schools ; and while it is earnestly hoped, that those 
Establishments may receive continually increas¬ 
ing support, until they become fully able to supply 
the wants of those for whose benefit they were 
opened : still, however, it is of the utmost import¬ 
ance that the Original School of the Parish 
should not be forgotten ; and that while the 
opulent and charitable uphold the national day 
schools of their respective districts, they will also 
continue to foster and patronise this Establishment 
which extends its benefits to the whole Parish of 
St. Mary-le-bone; and, by the advantages it affords 
to the Girls under its care, advances a peculiar 
claim to the support of every wealthy parishioner. 

These advantages consist, not only in the vigi¬ 
lant control which may be exercised over those who 
live within the walls of a Charity School, and the 
wholesome discipline to which they are continually 
subjected ; but in their removal from the contagion 
of evil example. Their minds are thus- deeply 


CHARITY SCHOOL. 


173 


impressed with the principles of religion, before 
they can be assailed with temptation; and they are 
inured to habits of industry and sobriety, at a time 
when the idle cannot approach to seduce, or the 
profligate to corrupt them. And to these benefits, 
arted to the Girls who become inmates of this 



School, may be justly added, as no small argument 
in its favour, the substantial relief which is afforded 
to the industrious mechanic, when struggling hard 
to maintain his family; if, while he is enabled to 
procure for his daughters the valuable blessing of 
a good education, he is also thus exonerated from 
the expense of their clothing and maintenance. 
Many, doubtless, are the cases, in which the mere 
hope of such assistance has encouraged the honest 
and diligent parent to labour with cheerfulness; 
and some there may be, whom this important aid, 
when imparted, has saved from utter despondency, 
and that last sad retreat of hopeless poverty, the 
parish workhouse. 

The Trustees, therefore (in the Address to the 
Public printed in their Report of 1832), indulge a 
hope, that they may be permitted to urge upon the 
attention of the wealthy and benevolent the claims 
and necessities of this Charity. 

“ They respectfully suggest to their consideration, 
that it is, 'peculiarly and exclusively the Parish 
School ; that it receives within its walls One 
Hundred and Five Girls, daughters of the poor 
and industrious parishioners, who are instructed in 
the religious principles of the Established Church, 
and accustomed to behave with civility, order and 
morality; at the same time that they are also 
trained up inhabits of cleanliness and industry, and 
qualified to fill, with credit to themselves and com¬ 
fort to their employers, the useful station of domestic 
servants.” 

“ The number of Girls to be received may he 
increased to any extent, by the bounty of the 
public : and the Trustees confidently hope, that 


174 


CHARITY SCHOOL. 


the more the state of the School is examined, and 
the conduct of those whom it has sent into the 
world is investigated, the greater will be the amount 
of that bounty. They desire that the Charity may 
be judged by its effects: and they do not doubt that 
their warmest wishes for its success will be amply 
gratified, when the advantages which it has bestowed 
and is still ready to impart to the poor Girls en¬ 
trusted to its care, are generally understood.” 

The fact of the Public being invited at all times 
to inspect the . internal domestic arrangement of 
this Establishment, combined with the judicious 
Rules and Regulations adopted by the Committee 
of Management, render this Charity an object of 
peculiar interest, and worthy of the patronage and 
support of the wealthy and benevolent of all classes. 

Patrons. 

His Grace the Duke of Portland. 

His Grace the Duke of Newcastle ; the Earls of 
Macclesfield, and Manvers ; Viscount Duncan- 
non ; the Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of London; 
Lords Kenyon, Bridport, and Radstock; the 
Hon. B. Bouverie, M. P. Sir James Cockburn, 
Bart. The Rev. Dr. Spry, Rector of the Parish, 
and all the District Rectors ; Edward Berkeley 
Portman, Esq. M. P.; and Henry Samuel Eyre, 
Esq. 

Treasurer. 

The Rev. Bryant Burgess, No. 9, Salisbury Place, 

New Road. 

Physicians. 

Dr. Ager. Dr. Seymour. 

Surgeons. 

Robert Keate, Esq. Henry Earle, Esq. 

Surgeon-Apothecary. John Propert, Esq. 


CHARITY SCHOOL. 


175 


District Treasurers. 

Mr. E. Churton, 140, Oxford Street. 

Mr. Joseph Spicer, Duke-Street, Manchester Sq. 
Mr. Abrahams, 234, Oxford Street. 

Mr. J. Morris, 120, Crawford Street. 

W. Marr, Esq. 32, Upper Baker Street. 
James Hutchons, Esq. 7, Blandford Square. 

Mr. T. Hawkins, 65, Margaret St. Cavendish-Sq. 
Bankers. 

Sir Claude Scott, Bart. & Co. 1, Cavendish Sq. 
Secretary. 

Mr. Thomas P. Lowe, School-House, 110, High- 
Street, St. Mary-le-Bone. 

Collector. 

Mr. William Price, 6, Allsop-place, Upper Baker 
Street. 

Subscriptions and Donations will be received by 
the Treasurer, or by the Bankers ; also by the 
District Treasurers; by the Secretary, at the School 
House, 110, High Street, and by the Collector. 

The following important Items appear in the List of 
Special Benefactions to this Charity. 


1761 Mrs. Elizabeth Goodere, (legacy) .£.100 0 0 

1762 Hon. Mrs. Mary Stuart, - 200 0 0 

1768 Mrs. Webb, (legacy) . . 100 0 0 

1773 Rt. Hon. Lady Delamer, (legacy) . 200 0 0 

1774 John Allen, Esq. . (do.) . 100 0 0 


1777 Mr- William Lovejoy, many years master 
of this Charity School, (do.) the residue of 
his estate, which amounted to £120. 18s. Id. 

1788 Mrs. Margaret Anne Adams, (do.) 315 0 0 

1802 Mrs. Mary Dover, . (do.) 200 0 0 

1814 The Officers and Non-commissioned Offi¬ 
cers of the late Royal York St. Mary-le- 
Bone Volunteers, by the Rt.Hon. Visct. 
Duncannon, their Colonel . 400 0 0 

1824 Mr. Thomas Craft, of Wells Street, bequeathed the 
sum of 191. 19s. the Interest to be annually laid 
out in Cross Buns, and distributed on Good Fri¬ 
day to the Children of the said School for ever. 
Joseph Nollekens, Esq. (Legacy) - 303 13 0 
1832 John Pepys, Esq. (in 4 Donations) - 202 10 0 


176 


CENTRAL NATIONAL SCHOOL. 


Central National School. 

A Day School of Industry in which were 300 
children, was established in Paradise Street, in 
the year 1791; and supported by voluntary contri¬ 
butions, charity sermons, and the profits of the 
children’s earnings: the boys were employed in 
platting straw; the girls both in that and needle¬ 
work. The School of Industry was one of the 
first that adopted the system of Dr. Bell. In the 
beginning of 1808, that distinguished philanthropist 
Sir Thomas Bernard, Bart, brought forward a project 
for the general education of the Poor in the Parish 
of St. Mary-le-bone, and after considerable diffi¬ 
culty in obtaining a situation for the School, he 
succeeded in purchasing a house and garden in 
High Street; on which a handsome and commodious 
school-room was erected under his own immediate 
inspection. This new Institution was soon after¬ 
wards incorporated with the School of Industry, 
and the whole was placed under the direction of 
the Governors of the United National Schools. 
The entrance for the children to the School-Room 
is in Paddington Street. 

In consequence of the establishment of the 
Eastern and Western National Schools, it was 
resolved, at the Annual Meeting in 1825, that this 
School, for the sake of distinction, should thence¬ 
forth be denominated “ The St. Mary-le-bone Cen¬ 
tral National School.” 

It is the object of this Institution to afford useful 
and religious instruction to the Children of the 
Resident Poor, whether Parishioners or otherwise; 
and to qualify them for those situations in life, 
which they will be called upon to fill. The Children 
are taught to love and obey God, to honour their 
Parents, to respect their Superiors, to be faithful 
to their Masters and Mistresses; to be honest, 


CENTRAL NATIONAL SCHOOL. 177 

sober, and cleanly; to control their tempers ; to be 
kind in their deportment to their equals, and civil 
to all. In a word, they are educated in the prin¬ 
ciples, moral and religious, which the Church of 
England maintains and inculcates; and the fruits 
which these principles, sedulously and constantly 
impressed upon their minds, have in numerous 
instances produced, evince the great importance 
of this Institution, not only to the Poor themselves, 
but to all classes of society. 

It is not doubted, that a Charity, which has so 
materially contributed to diffuse habits of good 
order and sound Christian principles among the 
Poor, will continue to meet with liberal support. 

Although at the present moment the finances 
of this School are far from being in a prosperous 
state, the Trustees still persevere in their under¬ 
taking; not doubting that, under the blessing of 
Providence, they will be enabled still to open their 
doors to the helpless children of the poor and 
ignorant, and to prosecute the important objects 
of this Institution with vigour and effect. 

This School at present contains about 500 
Children—337 Boys, and 163 Girls; and, from 
inquiries which have been recently made, it has 
appeared, that many of the poor inhabitants have 
not yet endeavoured to avail themselves of its 
benefits; some because they were not aware that 
such a school was established; and others because 
they did not know how easily they might obtain 
admission for their children. 

Patron. 

His Grace the Duke of Portland. 

President. 

His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. 

Twelve Vice Presidents , including 
The Rev. John Hume Spry, D. D. Rector of the 
Parish. 


178 


CENTRAL PROVIDENT SOCIETY. 


Treasurer. 

Thomas Little, Esq. Maida Hill. 

Subscriptions are received by the Treasurer ; by 
Mr. C. W. Moore, the Master and Secretary, No. 
82, High Street; and by Mr. Peter Matthews, the 
Collector, No. 52, High Street; also at the Bank¬ 
ing-house of Sir Claude Scott, Bart. & Co., Margaret 
Street, Cavendish Square. 


Central District Provident Society. 

This Institution was established by a few bene¬ 
volent Individuals, for the purpose of encouraging 
the labouring classes to provide a small fund to 
meet any unforeseen exigencies that may befal 
them. The object of the projectors of this Institu¬ 
tion is to establish the principle of saving among 
the poorer classes, without interfering with that 
excellent Institution, the St. Mary-le-bone Savings 
Bank; the following regulations have therefore 
been adopted. 

The Provident Institution opens for the Season 
in February, and continues open for business every 
succeeding Monday until the end of October. 

During this period, any one person in a family , 
residing in the District, may deposit a sum not 
exceeding Eleven pence each week. On or after 
the first Monday in November, the whole of the 
Sum deposited is returned to the Depositor, with 
the addition of Sixpence for every Five Shillings ; 
which is given either in Money, Tickets for the 
purchase of Clothes, Food, or any other Articles, 
at the choice of the Depositor. 

Deposits are received at the Central National 
School, in High Street, every Monday Evening, 
between the hours of six and seven. 



POLICE OFFICE. 


179 


POLICE OFFICE. 

The Police Office was removed by Act of Par¬ 
liament from Shadwell, and established in High 
Street in 1821, Lord Sidmouth being Secretary of 
State at that period: and was opened for trans¬ 
acting business on the 16th of July in that year. 
The following gentlemen preside as Magistrates 
at this Office:—John Rawlinson, Esq., Edmund 
Griffiths, Esq., and William Hoskins, Esq. The 
establishment of the High Street Police Office 
has proved an object of great convenience to this 
populous parish, the increase of population having 
rendered such an Establishment most desirable ; 
the celerity and dispatch evinced in transacting the 
business of the Office, combined with the facility 
of obtaining legal advice and information, and the 
general civility and politeness of the Chief Clerk 
and Officers ; give it a character far superior to 
Establishments of a similar description. The back- 
way to the Office, is by Grotto Passage, in Para¬ 
dise Street; the lock-up cells, with some adjacent 
cottages, having been erected on the site of an 
Exhibition of Shell-work, called the Great Grotto , 
the property of one John Castles , who died in 
1757 ; the ingenuity of this artist appears to have 
been duly appreciated by the Public, his Exhibi¬ 
tion having been a celebrated place of fashionable 
resort. 


Infant School of the whole Parish of 
St. Mary-le-bone. 

This School was projected by the Rev. Dr. Spry, 
Rector, and established in 1828. 

The object of Infant Schools is to provide safety, 
attention, and suitable Education for the Children 
of the Poor, during that period of life when they 



180 


INFANT SCHOOL. 


require most care, and generally receive least; it 
being a fact too well known, that very many 
Children, from infancy to the age of six or seven 
years, are entrusted during the working-hours of 
the days, to the care of others little older than 
themselves ;—that others are kept for many hours 
together confined in the close apartment of some 
person paid to take charge of them (which restraint, 
with the injudicious treatment often attending it, 
injures both their minds and bodies);—while multi¬ 
tudes are left to roam the streets and alleys of the 
town, liable to painful or fatal accidents, exposed 
to the temptation of vicious example, and contract¬ 
ing habits of indolence, insubordination, deceit, 
impurity, and profaneness. To this perhaps may 
be traced much of that juvenile delinquency, which 
continually increases, to the great injury of society, 
and the deep concern of every Christian mind. 

From these evils it is the design of such Schools 
to preserve the younger Children of the Poor. These 
establishments, when rightly conducted, combine 
the advantages of the nursery, the school-room, 
and play-ground, and are calculated to promote 
no less the bodily health and activity, than the 
moral and religious improvement of the Infant- 
Scholars. Nor are the benefits of such Institutions 
confined to the children only whom they receive: 
their parents are relieved from all anxiety for their 
infants’ safety, while they are necessarily absent 
from them in pursuit of their several employments ; 
and the elder children of the family, instead of 
being confined at home (as is now too frequently 
the case), to tend the younger, are at liberty to 
avail themselves without interruption, of the ex¬ 
cellent course of instruction provided for them in 
the National Schools. Those Schools also will 
become more efficient, where Infant Schools are 
founded; for it cannot be doubted, that the striking 
improvement produced in the temper and behaviour 


INFANT SCHOOL. 


181 

of children subjected to the lenient, yet steady 
discipline of an Infant School, is in itself a valuable 
preparation for the Education which it is the object 
of the National Schools to impart. That these 
benefits may be secured to some portion of the 
Infant Poor of the Parish of St. Mary-le-bone, a 
commodious and retired spot of ground, affording 
ample space for all the purposes of the plan, has 
been obtained, contiguous to the garden of the 
Parish Church. On this ground there is a good 
and airy play-ground for the children, which has 
been properly fenced, and fitted with a shed, to 
.shelter them in case of rain. There is also a 
commodious House for the residence of the School- 
Mistress ; a School-room has been erected, capable 
of receiving nearly 300 Children. This has been 
done in full confidence that the Charity will meet 
with adequate support from the liberality of the 
Parishioners; and that support is earnestly and 
respectfully intreated by the Trustees, as a sum of 
more than £200. is still required to meet the ex¬ 
penditure. 

It is gratifying to know that the Institution is 
highly valued by the Poor, who cheerfully and 
regularly contribute their small weekly payments 
{one 'penny) for the reception of their children ; and 
the School itself, under the constant and zealous 
attention of the Mistress, is become what it was 
intended it should be—not a place of tiresome 
restraint, but a School for the acquisition of habits 
of cleanliness and decorum; cheerful subordination, 
courtesy, kindness, and forbearance; a scene of 
activity and amusement, and of such a portion of 
intellectual improvement, and moral and religious 
discipline, as the tender minds of the Infant Pupils 
may be capable of receiving. 

Among the Rules and Regulations of this School 
are the following: 

That the School be open to all Children of Poor 


182 


INFANT SCHOOL. 


Inhabitants of St. Mary-le-Bone, under Seven years 
of Age, on the recommendation of a Subscriber. 

That Parents sending one Child, shall be re¬ 
quired to pay One Penny per week for such Child 
as long as it shall remain in the School. Parents 
sending more than One Child, shall pay the like 
Sum for each Child they send. 

That the Officiating Clergy of the Parish, being 
Subscribers, be Trustees. 

That the Rector of the Parish, and in his absence 
one of his Curates appointed by him, be, with two 
of the Trustees, elected Monthly Visitors of this 
School. 


Patronesses. 

The Most Noble The Marchioness Cornwallis. 
The Rt. Hon. the Dow. Countess Manvers. 
The Rt. Hon. Dow. Lady Radstock. 

The Right Hon. Ladies Teignmouth; Eleanor 
Dundas; Bridget Bouverie. 

The Hon. Misses Shore, Waldegrave, Watson; 
Ladies Langham, Dalrymple, Johnston, Buller, 
Richard King, Astley Cooper, A. Bryce. 

Mrs. Spry. Mrs. Walpole Eyre. 
President. 

The Lord Bishop of London. 

Twelve Vice Presidents, including the Rev. Dr. 
Spry, and all the District Rectors. 
Treasurers. 

Sir Claude Scott, Bart. & Co. 

Secretary. 

Mr. David Pau, 22, George Street, Portman Sq. 

Subscriptions are received by the Treasurers, at 
the Vestry of the Parish Church, by the Secre¬ 
tary, Mr. David Pau, and at the School-House 
adjoining the Parish Church. 


NEW ROAD. 


183 


The New Road. 

The New Road from Paddington to Islington 
was cut through this Parish in 1757, commencing 
from he Edgware Road at the west end of Watery 
Lane, and passing through the estates of the Rev. 
Mr. Lloyd, at Lisson Green, Mr. Portman, the 
Duke of Portland, and the Crown land, crossing the 
St. Mary-le-bone boundary at the Green Lane oppo¬ 
site the Farthing-Pye-House, continuing through 
the Duke of Grafton’s estate, to Tottenham-Court- 
Road, and thence through the Duke of Bedford’s 
land to Islington and the City. From an accurate 
plan of this Road, as surveyed by J. Marsh, 1757, 
it appears the distance from the west end of Watery 
Lane along the New Road to Tottenham-Court- 
Road, is one mile, one quarter, and 277 yards. 
Opposite the Yorkshire Stingo was a road or lane 
across Lisson Green to Bell Lane leading to the 
Harrow Road as exhibited in the above plan. 

When the Bill for making this road was before 
Parliament, the following reasons were offered in 
support of it:—1. “That a free and easy commu¬ 
nication will be opened, between the Counties of 
Essex and the different parts of the County of 
Middlesex, and the several roads leading from the 
western to the eastern parts of the kingdom, without 
going through the streets, and by a nearer way of 
about two miles. 

2. That the frequent accidents which happen, 
and the great inconveniencies that arise, by driving 
cattle from the western road through the streets 
to Smithfield Market, will be prevented. 

3. That the pavements of the streets will be 
greatly preserved, and the frequent obstructions 
therein, by the multitude of carriages, which must 
necessarily pass through the same to go from the 
western to the eastern parts of the town, will be 


NEW ROAD. 


184 

in a great measure removed, and the business of 
the inhabitants of London and Westminster will 
be transacted in a much easier and more expeditious 
manner. 

4. That in times of public danger, by threatened 
invasions from foreign enemies, or otherwise, this 
New Road will form a complete line of circum- 
vallation, and His Majesty’s Forces may easily 
and expeditiously march this way into Essex, and 
other Counties adjacent, to defend our coasts, 
without the inconvenience of passing through the 
Cities of London and Westminster, or interrupting 
the business thereof.” 

Notwithstanding all these alleged conveniences 
and improvement of communication, the Bill met 
with strong opposition from the Duke of Bedford, 
who endeavoured to introduce a clause restricting 
the erecting of Buildings within an immense dis¬ 
tance of the Road; which would have rendered 
the Bill nugatory : his amendment was rejected, 
and the Bill was passed. A clause was, however, 
inserted, prohibiting the erection of buildings, or 
any erection whatsoever, within 50 feet of the 
road, and empowering the parochial authorities, 
upon obtaining an order from a magistrate, to pull 
down and remove any such erection, and levy the 
expenses thereof on the offender’s goods and chattels, 
without proceeding in the ordinary way by indict¬ 
ment. 

The effect of this restriction, has been the laying 
out and planting gardens of 50 feet in length in 
front of all the houses erected on either side of 
this road, which gives them a most pleasing and 
picturesque appearance; and has made it necessary 
to introduce a clause in the Acts of Parliament, 
for building the Parish and Trinity Churches, to 
legalize the erection of their respective porticoes, 
which encroach within the prescribed boundary. 

This Road, which is now one of the finest leading 


NEW ROAD. 


185 

avenues to the Metropolis, is also considered one 
of the most convenient; stage Coaches, and Omni¬ 
buses (a vehicle recently brought into use) passing 
for the conveyance of passengers, from Paddington 
to the City, every five minutes daily, another proof 
of the immense increase of population, since, 35 
years ago, only one coach ran from Paddington to 
London, and the proprietor could scarcely obtain 
a subsistence by his speculation. 

The New Road is skirted by well-built houses, 
some of which were' erected soon after the road 
was cut. On entering this Parish the Road takes 
a slight turn after passing the 44 Old Farthing Pie 
House ” on the south; and, crossing Portland Road, 
passes through Park Crescent; from this point 
the rows of houses on the south side, are named 
as follows:—Harley Place, Devonshire Terrace. 
Leaving these, we arrive successively, at Church 
House, Church Cottage, the Parish Church, and 
St. Mary-le-bone Workhouse and Infirmary (de¬ 
scribed by a late writer, as 44 possessing as many 
windows and covering as much ground as a Russian 
Palace”), York Buildings, Salisbury Place, # Cum¬ 
berland Place, Queen Charlotte Row: at the end 
of this Row is situated the extensive bowling- 
green and grounds of the Yorkshire Stingo: this 
house has been a celebrated House of Entertain¬ 
ment for more than a century; and it appears in 
the plan of the New Road of the date of 1757. 
Here was formerly held a fair on the 1st of May, 
annually, which was tolerated by the Magistracy 
for several years, until it became the resort of a 
multitude of disorderly and dissolute characters, 
and a complete nuisance to the inhabitants of the 

* The Rev. Bryant Burg-ess, Curate of the Parish, resides at 
No. 9, in Salisbury Place. The grandfather of this gentleman 
M. Chassereau, resided many years during the last Century, in a 
detached mansion surrounded with a large garden, situated in 
High Street, at the North-east corner of Paddington Street. 


186 


NEW ROAD. 


vicinity, when it was finally suppressed within the 
last few years, by order of the magistrates; this 
house is now a respectable tavern. Adjoining these 
premises is an extensive Brewery, the property of 
R. Staines. The road here takes another slight turn 
westward, passing an elegant building at the corner 
of Harcourt Street, occupied by that excellent 
Institution the Queen’s Lying-in-Hospital. Pad¬ 
dington Chapel in Homer Place, is the next 
prominent building, and the road finally quits the 
Parish by Winchester Row, built in the year 1766: 
the houses of which have been recently repaired, 
the fronts being covered with stucco, and present¬ 
ing a very neat appearance. 

The prominent features of the north side of the 
road, are: Trinity Church, Albany Terrace, Park 
Square, Ulster Place, Harley House, in the occupa¬ 
tion of Charles Day, Esq. Devonshire Place House, 
in the occupation of H. M. Dyer, Esq. The Office 
of John White, Esq.; Mary-bone Park House, in 
the occupation of the Rev. Edward Scott; Notting¬ 
ham Terrace; Union Place (here is a modern 
building with a gothic front occupied by the Ex¬ 
change Bazaar, and the old established Coach 
Manufactory of Mr. Burnand); Allsop Terrace. 
In Gloucester Place, New Road, are situated the 
following extensive establishments; viz. Jenkins’s 
Nursery, the Coach Manufactory of Messrs. Tilbury 
and Co. and that most respectable and valuable 
Institution, the Philological School. In the next 
row of houses, named Lisson Grove South, is situ¬ 
ated the Western General Dispensary; and the north 
side of the road terminates by Middlesex Place, 
and Southampton Row. Here is a large cluster 
of houses of ancient date, the property of George 
Cabbell, Esq. 



PHILOLOGICAL SCHOOL. 


187 


PHILOLOGICAL SCHOOL, 

Gloucester Place , New Road. 

Though this School is not confined to the Parish 
of St. Mary-le-bone, but is open for boys who are 
otherwise eligible wherever they may reside, yet, 
as it has been for many years situated within the 
confines of the Parish, it will not be considered 
out of place to introduce a short account of it in 
this work. 

Its object is to educate the Sons of Clergymen, 
Naval and Military Officers, Professional Men, 
Merchants, Manufacturers, Clerks in Public Offices, 
the higher order of Tradesmen, and other Persons 
of an equally respectable class of society, whose 
families have been in better circumstances and are 
reduced by accident or misfortune, whereby they 
are rendered incapable of affording their children 
a suitable education. 

The School is supported by voluntary contribu¬ 
tions ; and boys duly qualified as above, are 
admitted on the foundation on the. presentation 
of subscribers; who are entitled to certain rights 
and privileges in this respect, graduated and re¬ 
gulated according to the amount contributed. 

The Boys are educated in English and French, 
in Writing and Arithmetic, Geometry, Algebra, 
Geography, the Principles of Drawing, and the 
Rudiments of Latin; they are at the same time 
carefully instructed in their religious duties, on the 
principles maintained by the Established Church. 

In addition to this, they are entitled to certain 
articles of clothing; but are not boarded. 

The general administration of the affairs of the 
School is vested in a Board, composed of the 
President, Vice-Presidents, and twenty Governors 
elected at the Annual Meeting of Subscribers. 


PHILOLOGICAL SCHOOL. 


188 

This Board holds its ordinary sittings for the 
transaction of business once in every month. 

The School was founded in 1792, under the 
patronage of His Royal Highness the Duke of 
York, and was for many years carried on in a 
Building erected for the purpose in King Street, 
Bryanston Square (now Nutford Place). In the 
year 1827, the increased number of boys, and the 
urgency of the further application for admission, 
pressed upon the Governors the absolute necessity 
of removing the School to larger premises; and 
they made choice of the present situation, where 
the accommodations provided for the School-busi¬ 
ness, and the advantages offered for air and exercise, 
render it peculiarly eligible for the purpose to 
which it is applied. 

About the same time, the Governors and friends 
of the Institution had to lament the death of its 
first Patron, the Duke of York, under whose 
countenance and support it had risen and flourished 
for so many years. The School, however, was not 
long left w ithout a Royal Patron, His late Majesty, 
George IV. having graciously condescended to 
take it under His protection; and on his demise, 
the present King was pleased to extend to it the 
same grace and favour. Soon afterwards the 
Queen honoured the Institution by becoming its 
Patroness. 

At the Annual Meeting of Subscribers, in the 
year 1831, it was considered that it would greatly 
tend to promote the welfare of the School, and 
add stability to it, if a fund were raised for its 
permanent endowment: and the Meeting, desirous 
of evincing their gratitude to His Majesty for his 
munificent contribution in support of the School, 
came to a resolution that it should be appropriated 
to lay the foundation of this fund; and it was also 
provided that, in addition to the King’s contribu¬ 
tion, all donations of £50 and upwards, and all 


PHILOLOGICAL SCHOOL. 


189 


legacies of any amount, which should be expressly 
given in augmentation of this fund, should be so 
applied. The present amount of the contributions 
has already, it is understood, justified the hopes 
entertained of the measure on its original formation. 
Contributors to this fund are entitled to the same 
privileges as, by the rules of the School, are 
conferred upon those who subscribe towards its 



The excellent regulations under which this 
Institution is conducted, and the sound and useful 
education which it imparts, have raised it so highly 
in public estimation, that the number of applications 
for admission has of late years greatly increased; 
and it has in consequence become necessary to 
limit the number of boys. 

The Classes of Society to which this Institution 
affords relief, are such as hide their sorrows from 
the Public eye; and, while they would shrink from 
pecuniary assistance, gladly receive an education 
for their children, which may enable them to fill 
their proper stations in life; and which has been 
the means of restoring many a widowed mother 
and unprotected family to their former comfort 
and prosperity. With this object, and standing 
almost alone, this Institution seems to possess 
peculiar claims on the liberality of the Public; 
since, under the dispensation of Providence, it 
may happen that the hand that now affords relief 
may one day receive the benefit. 


List of Officers. 


President. 

The Ptight Hon. Lord Teignmouth. 

Vice Presidents. 

The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, and eighteen 
other Gentlemen. 


190 


PHILOLOGICAL SCHOOL. 


Treasurer. 

John Turner, Esq. 

Secretary. Mr. Edwin Abbott. 
Physician. Thomas Brown, M. D. 
Surgeon and Apothecary. Edgar Barker, Esq. 

Surgeon Dentist. James Snell, Esq. 
Solicitor. W. R. Jupp, Esq. Carpenters’ Hall. 
Head Master. Mr. Edwin Abbott. 
Writing and Drawing Master. Mr. Charles 
S. Williams. 

French Master. Mr. Devolmerange Descroix, B. A- 
Assistant Master. Mr. T. H. Ramsay. 
Collector. 

Mr. John Whitehead, St. John’s Wood Barracks. 

The following is an abstract of the Report of the 
number and description of the Boys in the School, 


made to the Annual Meeting in 1832. 

Of the Sons of Naval and Military Officers . 23 
Professional Men . 8 

Clerks in Public Offices . . .18 

Merchants, Manufacturers, and the higher 

order of Tradesmen . . .23 

Contributory Scholars . . 55 


127 

The School is open to the inspection of the 
Public; and Reports affording ample information as 
to the Plan and Object of the Institution may be 
had of the Secretary at the School-House; by whom 
also, Subscriptions and Donations are received. 


queen’s lying-in hospital. 191 

QUEEN CHARLOTTE’S LYING-IN 
HOSPITAL. 

This Charity was instituted in the year 1752, at 
a house in St. George’s Row, near Tyburn Turn¬ 
pike, from whence it was removed to Bayswater in 
1791. It was found to he of material service to 
the surrounding districts, but in consequence ol 
bad management it had nearly ceased to exist— 
when the attention of their Royal Highnesses the 
Dukes of Sussex and Cambridge was awakened 
to the merits of the Charity; and, at their sugges¬ 
tion a General Meeting was held and many excel¬ 
lent regulations adopted (on the 21st of Oct. 
1809). In the year 1810, it was removed to the 
spacious freehold mansion at the corner of Har- 
court Street, New Road (which was originally 
built by J. Harcourt, Esq. and afterwards occupied 
by — Tucker, Esq. Secretary to the Admiralty), 
under the special patronage of Her late Majesty 
Queen Charlotte, whose name it is distinguished 
by; and under the direct management of His 
Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex; who, from 
the moment he benevolently gave his assistance 
to its revival, has never ceased to watch over its 
interests, and to aid and assist its truly benevolent 
views. The Institution is further honoured by 
the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Adelaide, 
and every member of the Royal Family. 

The views of the Charity are regularly superin¬ 
tended by a Committee of twenty Governors ; and 
their professed object is eminently promoted by 
the gratuitous assistance and attendance of a 
Medical Establishment, comprehending gentlemen 
of the first-rate professional talent. 

This Charity, besides affording an asylum for 
indigent Females, during the awful period of child¬ 
birth, extends its aid also to the habitations of 
those who prefer remaining with their families, or 


192 queen’s lying-in hospital. 

cannot conveniently be removed:—to such females 
all the comforts and relief are given, which their 
immediate wants may demand; although the Hos¬ 
pital cannot, in such cases, afford them the full 
amount of domestic relief and consolation as prof¬ 
fered under its own roof. 

Not only the indigent and helpless, but the wives 
also of industrious Labourers, Mechanics, and dis¬ 
tressed Housekeepers, who, from the pressure of 
the times, may stand in need of such relief, are 
made equally partakers of the benefits of this 
Charity. 

The wives too of those indigent brave men, whose 
lives are devoted to the service of their country, by 
land or by sea, are more particularly considered as 
fit objects for its bounty. 

Likewise, in the true spirit of Christian charity, 
which finds not in human frailty any just incite¬ 
ment to utter rejection, this Institution, with a 
view to facilitate the repentance of a suffering and 
contrite sinner, and to preclude every motive to 
suicide, or the murder of a new-born infant, which 
conscious guilt has been known to excite in the 
minds of many unlawful mothers—admit penitent 
patients once; but in no instance can they be 
received a second time. 

To prevent, however, the possible contagion of 
evil example, separate wards for the married and 
unmarried patients are allotted, and all intercourse 
between them is most carefully precluded. 

President for Life. 

His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex, K. G. 

Patronesses. 

Their Royal Highnesses the Duchesses of Kent, 
Cambridge and Gloucester. 

Vice-Presidents. 

Their Graces the Dukes of Grafton, Devonshire, 
and Northumberland. 


queen’s lying-in hospital. 193 

The Rt. Hon. the Earls of Shaftesbury, Plymouth, 
Dartmouth, Hardwicke, Grosvenor, Ferrers, 
Edward Berkeley Portman, Esq. M. P. 

Treasurer. 

John Wright, Esq. 

Consulting Physicians. 

Dr. Peter M. Roget, F. R. S. Dr. James Copland. 

Physician Accoucheur. 

Dr. Richard Byam Dennison. 

Surgeon Accoucheur. John Sweatman, Esq. 
Assistant Surgeon Accoucheur. 

Joseph Cholmondeley, Esq. 

Solicitor. 

Lawrence Walker, Esq. 24, Argyll Street. 
Secretary. 

Mr. Augustus U. Thiselton, 37, Goodge Street, 

Subscriptions are received by the Treasurer; ihe 
Secretary; the Collector ; and at the Hospital. 


K 



194 


WESTERN GENERAL DISPENSARY. 


The Western General Dispensary. 

This Institution was founded on the 9th of 
March, 1830, at a public meeting held on that 
day, and which had been called by a few benevolent 
gentlemen who felt the necessity of establishing a 
Medical Institution for the relief of the poorer 
classes of this district of the Parish of St. Mary-le- 
bone, and the contiguous Parishes of Paddington 
and Kilburn. The house now known as the Dis¬ 
pensary-house was engaged, and from its situation 
holds out the greatest advantages; for though in 
the Parish of St. Mary-le-bone, it is nearly a mile 
distant from any other Medical Institution. The 
St. Mary-le-bone General Dispensary and the 
Middlesex Hospital, being situated at such a 
distance from the districts which the Western 
General Dispensary embraces, rendered it imprac¬ 
ticable for the sick poor to resort thither; this 
Institution has therefore become an object of 
great importance, to the densely populated district 
of the north western part of the Parish, consisting 
principally of the labouring classes. It is only 
due to the Medical Gentlemen in the neighbour¬ 
hood to record their unceasing exertions and 
liberality in affording relief to thousands of cases 
annually ; but it lay alone in the power of the 
public at large, through the medium of a Charitable 
Institution, to mitigate to an adequate extent the 
ravages which disease always makes amongst the 
poor. 

Upon the subject of the great benefit of an 
Institution of this kind, but little need be said. 
The claims of an Individual soliciting pecuniary 
assistance, may be thwarted by imposition and 
fraud; but the tale of woe, which sickness and 
disease tells, can never be mistaken; and the 
contributions of the generous towards relieving 


WESTERN GENERAL DISPENSARY. 195 

distress, which is but too evident, and which there 
can be no motive for feigning, if it were possible, 
are of all others the surest to answer the end for 
which they were intended. 

To relieve therefore, as far as human exertions 
can avail, the miseries to which the poor are exposed 
in the hour of sickness, the Western General 
Dispensary was founded; and its objects are thus 
stated in the prospectus originally issued, namely: 

“To give advice and medicines in all cases,both 
Surgical and Medical, to such poor persons as, 
from poverty and destitution, have not the means 
of obtaining relief; subject to such laws and regu¬ 
lations as may from time to time be agreed upon; 
and, in addition, to supply, under the authority of 
the Board of Directors, wine, sago, or arrow-root, 
to those patients whose poverty and ill-health re¬ 
quire it.” 

“ To have beds for sufferers from accidents that 
may occur in the immediate neighbourhood.” 

A Medical Officer attends at the Dispensary 
every morning, except Sundays, at twelve o’clock; 
and will visit, at their own houses, patients whose 
cases may require such attendance, and who reside 
within one mile of the Institution. 

Another important feature in this Institution, 
is, that the Medical Officers are Surgeon-Apothe¬ 
caries, or general practitioners, residing in the 
immediate neighbourhood; and who from necessity, 
must be well acquainted with any peculiar local 
disease which may at any time prevail, or by 
possibility exist. There is no other Institution of 
the same description in London. 

The utility of this Institution will be obvious, 
when the Public are informed that in the first 
twelvemonths after its establishment, 1618 patients 
were admitted by Letter; Accidents, 129; of whom 
940 were discharged cured; Relieved, 268; date 
of Letter having expired, 96; Discharged for Non- 


WESTERN GENERAL DISPENSARY. 


196 

Attendance, 42; Sent into the Country, 12; Sent 
to an Hospital, 8; Died, 57; Under treatment, 
June 30, 1831, 324; making a total of 1747. 
Patron. 

H. R. H. The Duke of Sussex, K. G. &c. &c.* &c. 

President. 

His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. 
Treasurer. 

The Rev. Bryant Burgess, 9, Salisbury Place, 
New Road. 

Trustees. 

Mr. Serjeant Bompas. James Parlett, Esq. 
Barry 0‘Meara, Esq. 

Consulting Physicians. 

Marshall Hall, M. D. 

Anthony Todd Thompson, M. D., F. R. S. 
Consulting Surgeons. 

B. C. Brodie, Esq. F. R. S. 

Edward Stanley, Esq. F. R. S. 

Medical Officers in Ordinary 
Alexander Anderson, Esq. 17, York Place. 
Edgar Barker, Esq. 40, Edgware Road. 

J. C. Cox, Esq. 33, Montagu Square. 

N. Grant, Esq. 21, Thayer Street. 

Dispenser and Secretary. 

Mr. T. Y. Cotter, at the Dispensary House. 

Subscriptions and Donations are thankfully 
received by Sir Claude Scott, Bart. & Co. 1, 
Cavendish Square; likewise by the Treasurer, 
Collector, and at the Dispensary, where Plans of 
the Charity may he had, and also Letters of Re¬ 
commendation, on application by Governors. 


PORTMAN SQUARE. 


197 


Portman Square 

Was began about 1764, when the north side of 
the square was built; but it was nearly 20 years 
before the whole was completed. This is a very 
handsome square, 500 feet by 400, but it is to be 
regretted, that the coup-d’oeil is wounded by the 
total absence of uniformity in the surrounding 
buildings, some of them being remarkable for a 
profusion of architectural elegance, while others 
are distinguished only by a neat simplicity. The 
centre of the area is laid out in shrubberies, exhi¬ 
biting a wilderness of foliage, producing a very 
pleasing effect. Here is also a moveable temple or 
summer-house, erected by the Turkish Ambassador 
about 25 years ago, when he resided at No. 18, 
the north-west corner of the square. His Excel¬ 
lency was in the habit of taking the air in this 
beautiful spot, surrounded by part of his retinue. 
At the north-west angle is the elegant detached 
mansion which was built by the celebrated Mrs. 
Elizabeth Montagu, who resided here many years, 
and whose benevolent feelings led her to regale 
all the chimney-sweepers annually, on the 1st of 
May, on the lawn in front of this mansion, with 
good and wholesome fare: “ so that they might 
enjoy one happy day in the year." 5 This house is 
now the residence of Lord Rokeby. 

M. Otto, the French Ambassador, resided here 
in 1802; his residence was on the south side of the 
square. On the occasion of Peace being proclaimed 
on the 29th of April, 1802, between His Britannic 
Majesty and the French Republic, illuminations 
of the most splendid character succeeded the cere¬ 
monial of the day; but the object of universal 
attraction was the French Ambassador’s House, 
which was most brilliantly illuminated with coloured 
lamps, disposed in the form of an Ionic temple, 


198 


PORTMAN SQUARE. 


and having in the centre a large transparency, 
representing England and France, with their various 
attributes, in the act of uniting their hands, in 
token of amity, before an altar dedicated to huma¬ 
nity, above which appeared the word Peace, with 
olive branches. 

The following circumstance, which occurred a 
few days before the illumination, will shew the 
true characteristics of national feeling. Immense 
crowds were daily attracted, by the preparations 
for the magnificent display which afterwards took 
place. At length, the word Concord was formed 
in coloured lamps on the entablature of the temple: 
the reading of John Bull, was, hotvever, Conquered , 
and his inference, that it was intended that Britain 
was conquered by France. Disturbance and riot 
were about to commence, when M. Otto, after 
some fruitless attempts at explanation, prudently 
conceded, and the word amity was substituted. 
But it did not end here, for some sailors found out 
that the initials G. R. were not surmounted as usual 
by a crown: this they peremptorily insisted should 
be done, and a lamp formed diadem was immediately 
put up.* 

This Square contains 40 noble houses, inhabited 
by the following persons of high rank. The Dukes 
of Newcastle and Hamilton; Earls Beverley, Man- 
vers, Nelson, Pomfret, Cardigan, Beauchamp; 
Viscount Newark: Lords Garvagh, Kenyon, Tem- 
plemore, Teignmouth; Henry Charles and Lady 
Charlotte Sturt; Hon. Mrs. Leigh; Right Hon. 
Lieutenant-General Sir John Byng; Henry Skrine, 
Esq. Henry Elwes, Esq. P. W. Gardiner, Esq. 
Lady Harriet Chichester; R. R. Pennington, Esq. 
John Stewart, Esq ; Mrs. Raymond Barker; Miss 
Johnes; Mrs. H. Nisbet; Countess of Scarborough ; 
John Giffard, Esq. Charles Morris, Esq. Hon. Miss 
Kenyon, Mrs. M. H. Beach; James Malony, Esq. 

* Lambert's Hist, of Loudon* 


MANCHESTER SQUARE. 


199 


Mrs. Denison, Rev. I. H. Sadler; Charles W. G. 
Wynne, Esq. Charles Lyne Stephens, Esq. The 
Misses Beaumont; Captain Coulson; Colonel Bisse 
Chaloner. 

In the year 1778, a proposal was made in the 
Public Advertiser, to the Inhabitants of Mary-le- 
bone, for forming a new road from Portman Square 
across the fields to the bottom of Hampstead town, 
by the west end of Mr. Allsop’s new farm, across 
Mr. Willan’s field, by the side of the Hill-Field, 
commonly called Little Primrose Hill, through a 
part of Belsize Park, to the bottom of Hampstead 
town: then across the lower side of the Heath, and 
to go between the Spaniards and Caen-w ood House, 
through Bishop’s-w r ood, across the fields into the 
Barnet Road, at the bottom of the hill rising up 
to Finchley Common, about half a mile below 
Highgate Hill: the whole length of this proposed 
road was computed to measure barely four miles. 
But this proposition was never carried into effect. 

Manchester Square. 

The north side of this Square was begun in 
1776, by the building of Manchester House by 
the Duke of Manchester, from whom the Square 
derives its name ; but it was not completed till the 
year 1788. A late writer asserts that it was intended 
to have called this Queen Anne’s Square, and to 
have erected a handsome parochial church in the 
centre; but this idea appears to have been erroneous, 
a plan having been marked out for the said Square 
on or near the site of Portland Place, from which 
circumstance Queen Anne Street derives its name. 
Upon the sudden death of the Duke of Manchester, 
and the minority of his heir, this noble mansion, 
which has a very imposing appearance, haying a 
spacious court-yard inclosed with iron- railing, a 


200 


MANCHESTER SQUARE. 


handsome portico surmounted by a verandah, &c. 
became the residence of the Spanish Ambassador; 
and afterwards the property of the late Marquis of 
Hertford, who resided here several years. It is 
now in the occupation of the Dowager Marchioness 
of Hertford, relict of the late Marquis. During 
the time the Spanish Ambassador resided here, he 
erected a small chapel in Spanish Place, which is 
at the north-east corner of the Square, extending 
to Charles Street, from designs by Bonomi, which 
is a very handsome piece of architecture. In 1832 
this Chapel was repaired, the exterior being covered 
with stucco, which not only tends to the preserva¬ 
tion of the building, but adds to the classic purity 
of its style of architecture. 

Manchester Square, is small but neat, and the 
centre, which is laid out in compartments of shrubs 
and flowers, is surrounded by an iron railing. The 
principal inhabitants are;—John Liddell, Esq.; 
J. J. Coney, Esq. Jonas Hall Pope, Esq. ;* Colonel 
Becher; Mrs. Vachell; Mrs. Lowndes Stone; 
John Leckie, Esq.; Jeremiah Cloves, Esq.; Mrs. 
Cassamajor; Rev. J. and Lady Cecil Delafield: 
Richard Norman, Esq.; Dr. M. Hall; George 
Fuller, Esq.; Sir H. and Lady Lambert; Dr. J. 
Bright; John M‘Taggart. Esq.; George Lovibond, 
Esq.; Miss North; Mrs. Dawson; and Mrs. 
Collins. 

At the north-w r est corner of the Square is Man¬ 
chester Street, running northward: the houses are 
plain brick buildings, but occupied by persons of 
great respectability. The notorious female im¬ 
postor, Joanna Southcott, resided in this street, 
and died here in 1814, after having contrived to 
impose upon six different medical men with the 


* This gentleman is a Surgeon of extensive practice, and con¬ 
summate skill ; he is also Hon. Medical Secretary to the Local 
Board of Health, established by Order of the Privy Council j his 
superior talent and indefatigable activity, are the theme of general 
admiration. 


bryanston square. 


201 

absurd story of her being about to give birth to 
the young “ Shiloh.” A more particular account 
of this woman will be found under the head of 
Miscellaneous Biography. Among the residents 
in this street, are, the Dowager Lady Synge; Rev. 
R. H. Millington; Rev. J. Fanshawe; Captain 
Robert Locke; Mrs. Colonel Taylor; W. H. 
Harriott, Esq. G. D. Hervey, Esq. James Hakewill, 
Esq. &c. 

Bryanston and Montagu Squares. 

Since the commencement of the present century 
almost all the various streets and avenues in the 
north-west part of the parish have been built. 
Bryanston and Montagu Squares, which are said 
to be the best examples of well constructed town 
residences, are built on ground commonly called 
Ward’s Field; here was formerly a large pond, at 
which many fatal accidents occurred every year to 
the schoolboys of the neighbourhood; near this 
spot was also a cluster of small cottages, called 
Apple Village , remarkable from having been the 
residence of one of the murderers of Mr. Steele; 
the dreadful accident which happened at the execu¬ 
tion of these criminals, when nearly 30 persons 
were crushed to death, will be fresh in the recollec¬ 
tion of the reader. The above Squares were built 
by Mr. David Porter, an eminent builder, who had 
formerly been chimney-sweeper to the village, and 
resided in Little Welbeck Street, but having ac¬ 
quired a large property, became extensively en¬ 
gaged in the new buildings. On the occasion of 
the Jubilee, to celebrate the 50th year of the reign 
of George III. this individual gave a substantial 
entertainment to his workmen and dependants in 
the enclosed area of Montagu Square, which was 
then in an unfinished state; when, notwithstanding 
the public situation, much conviviality and har«. 


MONTAGU SQUARE, 


202 

mony prevailed around the festive board. Mr. 
Porter died in the year 1819, having lived to see 
the result of his active labours for many years, in a 
most flourishing state. 

Bryanston Square, is an oblong ; the dimensions 
are 814 feet in length, by 194 in width: it contains 
50 handsome uniform houses; the centre houses 
on each side are decorated with columns and pedi¬ 
ments, the area is tastefully planted, and enclosed 
with an iron railing, forming an agreeable prome¬ 
nade for the occupiers of the surrounding mansions, 
who are accommodated with keys; The following 
are among the gentry who reside here:—A. B. and 
Lady Mary Drummond; Joseph Hume,Esq. M.P. 
for Middlesex; Viscountess Dudley; Dow. Lady 
Elcho; Gen. Sir Joseph Fuller; Lady Strachan ; 
Col. H. S. Eyre, and Walpole Eyre, Esq.; Sir W. 
J. Hort, Bt. ; Sir W. Johnstone, Bt.; Sir W. W. 
Pepys, Bt.; Sir T. B. Lennard, Bt.; Hon. Newton 
Fellowes, and Lady Catherine ; Sir Francis Free- 
ling, Bt.; Admiral Douglas; the Hon. Gen. 
Meade, &c. 

Wyndham Place, extending north from Bryan- 
stone Square to St. Mary’s Church, contains 16 
houses uniform with those in the Square ; and here 
reside, Benj. Cohen, Esq.; the Dow. Countess of 
Mountnorris ; M. L. Welch, Esq.; and the Rev. 
Dr. Dibdin, Rector of St. Mary’s. 

Montagu Square is exactly similar in character 
to Bryanston, with the exception that it contains 
63 houses, and its dimensions are 820 feet by 156. 
Here reside, Baron Wessenberg, the Austrian 
Minister; Adm. Maitland; Col. Sutherland; Maj. 
J. Y. Bradford; Mrs. Shum; H. Holland, Esq.; 
C. D. Nevinson, M. D.; Durant St. Andre, French 
Consul General; Sir J. Chetwode, Bt.; Dowager 
Ctss of Shrewsbury; Hon. W. Rodney ; Dr. A. 
Gostling, &c. 


DORSET SQUARE. 


203 


Dorset Square is a small but handsome Square, 
with the area enclosed and planted, and is built on 
the site of Lord’s Cricket Ground; in this Square 
reside, the Rev. Dr. Penfold, Rector of Trinity 
Church; Lady C. Graham; Count Dupont; the 
Rev. Dr. Fellowes, &c. 

A short distance west of Dorset Square, a new 
Square is forming, named Blandford Square, the 
south side of which only is completed. 

Lord’s Cricket Ground. 

This ground was a fine inclosed lawn or plain of 
large extent, rented by T. Lord, and called after 
his name. It was formerly a favourite place of 
resort for amateurs of the athletic game of cricket, 
many interesting matches for immense sums having 
been played here, the names of several Noblemen 
and persons of rank being entered in the list of 
players. It was also occasionally used as an exer¬ 
cising ground by the St. Mary-le-bone Volunteers, 
and the stand of colours was presented to the 
Regiment in this ground, in presence of a vast con¬ 
course of the Nobility and Gentry who attended 
on the occasion. 

M. Garnerin made his second ascent in this 
country, from Lord’s Cricket Ground, on the 5th 
of July 1802, accompanied by Edward Hawke 
Locker, Esq.; in presence of H. R. H. the Prince 
of Wales, who attended several ladies of distinction 
in the ground, and an immense number of the 
Nobility. His Royal Highness, on this occasion, 
signed the following letter of recommendation to 
any gentleman in the neighbourhood where the 
intrepid aeronauts might descend, that they might 
not, as on the former excursion, be treated as ne¬ 
cromancers coming from the clouds. 

July 5, 1802. 

“ We the undersigned, having been present at the 
ascension of M. Garnerin, with his balloon, this afternoon* 


204 


LORD'S CRICKET GROUND. 


and witnessed the entire satisfaction of the public, beg 
leave to recommend him to the notice of any gentleman in 
whose neighbourhood he may happen to descend. 

Signed. George P. W. G. Devonshire. 

Besborough. Cathcart. 

The balloon rose in the most beautiful and 
majestic manner. M. Garnerin had intended to 
have descended by the parachute, but the disturbed 
state of the elements rendered it impracticable. 
From the extreme density of the atmosphere the 
balloon was out of sight in three minutes after the 
cords were cut, and left one of the most immense 
multitudes ever assembled in the metropolis gaz¬ 
ing on the wide expanse. Notwithstanding the 
violence of the wind, they rose to the height of a 
mile and a half, and descended at 5 minutes after 
5 o’clock, without the least injury, at Chingford, 
near Epping Forest; having travelled a space of 
17 miles in little more than 15 minutes. Such 
interest had this famous aeronaut excited, that for 
several hours before the ascent all the metropolis 
was in an uproar ; many accidents occurred, and 
many depredations were committed. Mr. Locker 
afterwards published an account of his aerial voyage 
and says in conclusion:— 44 Although the mob which 
surrounded us on our descent, were as usual, both 
troublesome and officiously impertinent, we re¬ 
ceived great attention and assistance from Mr. 
Hughes of the Stamp-Office London, and several 
other gentlemen, who beheld our arrival. Atten¬ 
tion would, however, have been insured to us, if 
necessary, by the paper put into the hands of M. 
Garnerin, signed by H. R. FI. the Prince of Wales, 
and other persons of distinction.”* The Cricket 
Ground was removed in 1814, to St.John’s Wood. 

* E. H. Locker, Esq. is still living, and fills an important 
situation in Greenwich Hospital. This gentleman recently com¬ 
menced publishing “The Naval Gallery of Greenwich Hospital,” 
which he had the principal share in forming, hut was unfortunately 
compelled to discontinue it on account of ill health. 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 205 

Upper and Lower Seymour Street, Edwards 
Street, Wigmore Street, Mortimer Street, and 
Charles Street, including the north side of Caven¬ 
dish Square, and south side of Portman Square, 
form a spacious av enue from east to west, com¬ 
pletely through the Parish, commencing at the 
Edgware Road, and quitting the boundary at 
Charles Street. The above streets have been 
built at various periods : Wigmore Street is the 
most ancient, having been commenced in 1729. 
The White Hart at the corner of Welbeck Street, 
was a detached house of entertainment for many 
years: it was the practice of travellers to stop at 
this house for refreshment, and examine their fire¬ 
arms, previously to crossing the fields to Lisson 
Green. The land, from this house westward, to 
the banks of the bourn from whence the parish 
derives its name, formed a deep marshy valley: in 
this valley a house was erected by one Fenning, 
which obtained the name of 44 Fenning's Folly” 
from what was then considered the absurdity of 
erecting a house in such a situation ; it is shrewdly 
suspected from the variety of materials used in this 
building, that they were surreptitiously obtained 
from the numerous buildings erecting about the 
neighbourhood at that period. It must, however, 
have had an excellent foundation, a substantial 
house, in the occupation of Mr. Williams, Fish¬ 
monger to their Majesties, having been erected 
upon the top of it; the shop, which is now level 
with the street, having formed the upper story of 
44 Fenning’s Folly.” There is also, at the corner of 
Mary-le-bone Lane, one of the conduits belonging 
to the City of London; and in the same building 
was situated the Armoury and Orderly Room of 
the St. Mary-le-bone Volunteers. On the north 
side of Wigmore Street, and at the east corner of 
Mary-le-bone Lane, lived a respectable Bookseller, 
named Fiske, in whose house lodged Margaret 


206 


WIGMORE STREET. 


Nicholson, the maniac who attempted to stab 
George III. Aug. 3, 1786. Here is a cluster of 
small houses occupying a triangular piece of ground 
between Mary-le-bone Lane and John’s Court: 
this spot was formerly in the occupation of one 
Easeley. The cluster of houses formerly projected 
across VVigmore Street, and formed an obstruction 
to the continuation of the line of buildings: the 
proprietor resisted for some time the offer of the 
parochial authorities to purchase and remove the 
obstruction: but finally yielded, on an application 
to Parliament being threatened; and part of these 
houses being taken down, this spacious avenue 
was completed according to the original design. 
The densely populated mass of buildings north 
and south of Wigmore Street, from Duke Street, 
to Mary-le-bone Lane, were not built till after the 
year 1772: the inhabitants consist of Shopkeepers 
and the working classes. The remains of the late 
Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton, who was 
killed at the Battle of Waterloo, in the moment of 
victory, were brought over to England, and after 
lying in state at his house in Edwards Street, 
were buried at St. George’s burial ground. Many 
shops are interspersed through this fine length of 
street; there are also many persons of high rank 
and fashion residing in it, especially in Edwards 
Street, and Lower and Upper Seymour Streets ; 
among whom are the following distinguished per¬ 
sons :—Edwards Street , Dow. Lady Inglis; Hon. 
B. Bouverie; John Ivatt Briscoe, Esq.; Count de 
Champemont. Low. Seymour Street , Rev. Charles 
W. Eyre; Lord Mostyn; Rev. P. Le Breton ; Dr. 
Hope. Upper Seymour Street , Hon. General 
Murray; Mrs. Lytton Bulwer; Rev.W. I. Bird- 
wood; Hon. Henry Pierrepoint; Colonel Newbery; 
Ctss. Macnamara; Gen. Samuel Browne; John 
Thomas Hope, Esq.; Lady Mary Ann Sturt; 
Dow. Ctss. ofWinterton; Col. Wynyard; Baroness 


MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL. 


207 

Montesquieu; Dow. Lady Floyd; Rev. William 
Toke; Dow. Lady Strachan ; George and Lady 
Anne Wilbraham, &c. 

At the east end of this avenue, and directly 
facing Berners Street, stands 

MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL. 

This Hospital was instituted in 1745, for the 
relief of the indigent sick and lame; at which time, 
and for some years after, it was carried on in two 
convenient houses adjoining to each other in Wind¬ 
mill-street, Tottenham-court road. The benefac¬ 
tions of the public having greatly increased, the 
Governors, in 1747, extended their plan to the 
relief of lying-in married women, when the conse¬ 
quent increase of patients compelled them to think 
of enlarging their edifice as well as their plan; and 
by the benevolence of the contributors, they were 
enabled to erect the present building, which, at 
that time, stood isolated in the fields. 

The anniversary sermon of the Middlesex Hos¬ 
pital, was preached at St. Anne’s Church, West¬ 
minster, by the Rev. Dr. Nichols, Master of the 
Temple, May 15, 1755. After Divine Service, 
the Rt. Hon. the Earl of Northumberland, Presi¬ 
dent, Sir W. Beauchamp Proctor, Bart, and Col. 
Cornwallis, Vice Presidents, with the Stewards and 
Governors, walked from the church to the ground 
appointed for erecting the new building for the 
Hospital in Marybone Fields ; where the Presi¬ 
dent, assisted by the two Vice-Presidents, laid the 
first stone. They then returned to the great Con¬ 
cert Room in Dean Street, where the collection 
amounted to 400/. Sir W. Beauchamp Proctor, 
gave 100/.* 

The Resolution of the Governors relating to the 
admission of pregnant women, was altered in 1792; 
and it was resolved to provide that class of patients 
with obstetrical assistance, medicine, &c. at their 

* Gent. M«v£ vol xxr, 


MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL. 


208 

own habitations; and the lying-in ward was fitted 
up according to a plan suggested by the benevolent 
John Howard, for the admission of persons afflicted 
with cancer, at the sole expense of one benefactor 
(Samuel Whitbread, Esq.); who, actuated by the 
purest motives of benevolence towards this parti¬ 
cular class of distressed individuals, and wishing 
only to make a handsome beginning, in the hope 
of many contributions from the charitably disposed, 
to the further extension of the plan ; settled the 
interest of 4000/. in the three per cent. Consolidated 
Bank Annuities, for ever, by way of endowment; 
and gave 400/. for fitting up a ward for the above 
purpose. 

In consequence of the inadequacy of the Funds 
to the increasing expenses, in 1808 this excellent 
Institution was in danger of annihilation, the number 
of its patients having been for several years neces¬ 
sarily more and more diminished; the whole number 
of in-patients admitted during the year 1801, being 
675, that for 1808, only 461. The establishment 
was, however, at that time, relieved from its embar¬ 
rassments by an appeal to the Public, and the very 
liberal produce of a Benefit at the Opera House. 

The munificent donation of £.1000 by Lord 
Robert Seymour, enabled the Governors to fur¬ 
nish and open a new Ward at the commencement 
of the year 1824; and they appeal with confidence 
to the liberality of the Public, and solicit Contri¬ 
butions to the permanent Fund for its maintenance; 
the annual expense of which is upwards of £.400. 
Upwards of Two Hundred Beds are continually 
occupied in this Establishment, and the more 
enlarged usefulness of which it is capable, can only 
be obtained by adequate support. 

Though the exterior of this building is exceed¬ 
ingly plain, it has a very respectable appearance, 
and is replete with every convenience to answer 
the charitable purposes for which it was erected. 


MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL. 


209 


Patients relieved by the Hospital within the last 
Ten Years. 


1822 - - 

1823 - - 

1824 - - 

1825 - - 

1826 - - 

1827 - - 

1828 - - 

1829 - - 

1830 - - 

1831 - - 

In-Patients - 
Out-patients, 

Total - - 


IN-PATIENTS. 

- 1609 - - 

- 1568 - - 

- 1662 - - 

- 1598 - - 

- 1746 - - 

- 1863 - - 

- 1794 - - 

- 1631 - - 

- 1738 - - 

- 1715 - - 


- 16,924 - - 

- 44,524 


- 61,448 


OUT-PATIENTS. 

- - 5920 

- - 3744 

- 5579 

- - 3747 

- - 3726 

- - 4304 

- - 4109 

- - 3997 

- - 4538 

- - 4860 


- - 44,524 


Officers of the Establishment. 
Patron. 

The King’s Most Excellent Majesty. 
President. 

His Grace the Duke of Northumberland. 


Vice-Presidents. 

The Dukes of Bedford, Portland, Wellington, and 
Dorset. 


The Marquisses of Stafford, Cholmondeley, and 
Westminster. 

Lord Duncannon, Lord Henley. 

Sir William Weller Pepys, Bt. Sir C. Forbes, Bt. 
Hon. Bartholomew Bouverie, John Pepys, Esq. 
Thomas Lowndes, Esq. 


Treasurers. 

John Rawlinson, Esq. Thomas Hunt, Esq. 





210 


MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL. 


Physicians. 

Francis Hawkins, M. D. Thomas Watson, M. D. 
John Wilson, M. D. Hugh Ley, M. D. 
Surgeons. 

Sir Charles Bell. Herbert Mayo, Esq. 

J. M. Arnott, Esq. 

Chaplain. W. B. Champneys. 

House Surgeon. Mr. Edward Lonsdale. 

Apothecary at the Hospital. Mr. G. Corfe. 

Matron. Mrs. Martin. 

Secretary and House Steivard. 

Mr. Alexander Shedden. 

Collector. 

Mr. H. O. Knight, 13, Grove End Road, St. John’s 
Wood. 

Subscriptions and Donations are received by the 
Treasurers; at the following Bankers : Messrs. 
Coutts & Co. Strand; Drummond & Co. Charing 
Cross ; Hoare & Co. Fleet Street; Hammersley, 
Pall-Mall; Ransom & Co. Pall-Mall East; 
Marten & Co. Old Bond Street; Herries, Far- 
quhar & Co. St. Jameses Street; Sir Claude 
Scott & Co. Cavendish Square ; by the Collector; 
and by the Secretary, at the Hospital. 


It is a singular fact, that, formerly, our pupils 
went to Paris, to study Surgery, but such has been 
the improvement of the art in modern times, that 
Europe now looks up to our Surgeons, as on the 
summit of the profession. 

It will be curious to compare the state of 
Surgery at the present time, with that of the time 
of Henry VIII. at which period, as Gale tells us, 



THE ART OF SURGERY. 


211 


there were very few worthy to be called Surgeons. 
His account of those employed in the army is very 
humourous. “ I remember,” says, he, “ when I 
was in the wars at Muttril (Montreuil) in the time 
of that most famous prince King Henry VII1. 
there was a great rabblement, that took on them 
to be Surgeons; some were cow-doctors, and some 
horse-doctors, with tinkers and cobblers. This 
noble sect did such great cures, that they got 
themselves a perpetual name; for, like as Thessa- 
lus’s sect were called Thessalians, so was this 
noble rabblement, for their notorious cures, called 
dog-leaches; for in two dressings they did com¬ 
monly make their cures whole and sound for ever; 
so that they neither felt heat nor cold, nor no 
manner of pain after. But when the Duke of 
Norfolk, who was then general, understood how 
the people did die, and that of small wounds, he 
sent for me, and certain other Surgeons, com¬ 
manding us to make search, how these men came 
to their death; whether it were by the grievousness 
of their wounds, or by the lack of knowledge of 
the Surgeons ; and we, according to our command¬ 
ment, made search through all the camp; and 
found many of the same good fellows, which took 
upon them the names of Surgeons; not only the 
names, but the wages also. We asking of them 
whether they were Surgeons or no, they said they 
were ; we demanded with whom they were brought 
up, and they, with shameless faces, would answer, 
either with one cunning man, or another, which 
was dead. Then we demanded of them what chi- 
rurgery stuff they had to cure men withal; and 
they would shew us a pot, or a box, which they 
had in a budget: wherein was such trumpery as 
thev did use to grease horses’ heels withal, and laid 
upon scabbed horses’ backs, with rewal and such like. 
And others, that were cobblers and tinkers, they 
used shoe-maker’s wax, with the rust of old pans, 


PARISH BOUNDARY. 


212 

and made therewithal a noble salve, as they did 
term it. But, in the end, this worthy rabblement 
was committed to the Marshalsea, and threatened, 
by the Duke’s grace, to be hanged for their worthy 
deeds, except they would declare the truth what 
they were and of what occupations; and in the 
end they did confess as I have declared to you 
before.”— Aikin’s Memoirs of Medicine , p. 99. 


The boundary line of the Parish of St. Mary-le- 
bone, commences at the east end of Oxford Street, 
including the whole of the buildings east of Bozier’s 
Court, and continuing in a north-western direction, 
through the houses into Hanway Yard, crossing 
the road and passing between Nos. 14 and 15, to the 
corner of Gresse Street, where it enters Rathbone 
Place, and includes the remainder of the west side 
of Rathbone Place, part of Percy Street, and the 
w est side of Upper Rathbone Place; it passes here 
through the houses, crossing the road at the junc¬ 
tion of Charles Street and Goodge Street, and again 
passes through the houses by the Three Tuns 
Wine Vaults, four houses on the north side of 
Charles Street being in the Parish, and includes 
the whole of Norfolk Street, and the houses at the 
north and south-west corners of Tottenham Street; 
and, continuing through the houses, passes through 
the centre of a house occupied by a Turner, which 
projects from the south-west corner of the wall 
inclosing Covent Garden Workhouse; it then 
passes along the centre of the road in Cleveland 
Street to the New Road: some alteration was 
made in the boundary line at this point upon the 
erection of Trinity Church, an arrangement having 
been made for that purpose with the adjoining 
Parish of St. Pancrass, a Clause being introduced 
in the Act of Parliament 7° 8° Geo. IV. cap. 89, to 
legalize the transaction. The boundary line, there- 



Parish boundary. 


213 


fore, passes from the centre of the New Road oppo¬ 
site Cleveland Street, a short distance westward, 
and thence northward, up Osnaburgh Street, in¬ 
cluding the whole of the site of Trinity Churchj 
and thence passes through the houses in Albany 
Street, entering the Regent’s Park at St. Andrew’s 
Place, crossing the road a few yards south of the 
Colosseum. Hence it passes, in a north western 
direction, through the Park and the Zoological 
Gardens, continuing across the Primrose Hill Road, 
and includes the south-west corner of Primrose 
Hill Field, and the whole of Barrow Hill, on which 
is situated the reservoir of the West Middlesex 
Water works Company: it then crosses the fields 
in a zig-zag direction, and the new North Road 
about 250 yards above the Eyre iVrms Tavern, 
and finally proceeds, the boundary stones of St. 
Mary-le-bone and St. John’s Hampstead, being 
placed side by side, till it arrives at a field called 
the Six Acres or Hill Field , a short distance east 
of Kilburn Wells. The boundary line in this field 
takes a sweep, forming a complete semicircle, and 
finally comes out into the Edgware Road, passing 
through a house adjacent to a villa called Kilburn 
Priory. The authorities both of St. John’s and St. 
Mary-le-bone appear to have been very particular 
in defining the boundaries of their respective pa¬ 
rishes on this spot, there being no less than six 
different stones to mark the line in a space of 100 
yards in the above-mentioned field. The boundary 
of St. Mary-le-bone then passes southwards, inclu¬ 
ding the whole of the east side of the Edgware 
Road, to Hyde Park Place, at the west end of 
Oxford Street: it then passes eastward, including 
the whole of the north side of Oxford Street. There 
is a stone placed in the front wall of a house occu¬ 
pied by a tallow-chandler, at the corner of Bozier’s 
Court, at the east end of Oxford Street, on which 
is inscribed Oxford Street , 1725, L. S. M. 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


214 

Newman Street and Berners Street were built 
between theyears 1750 and 1770: the former is nar¬ 
row and curved, and remarkable for the residence of 
artists, of whom Russell and West in oil and crayon 
painting, and Bacon senior and junior in sculpture,, 
will be long remembered by their works. The latter 
will also be remembered for the extensive failure of 
the Banking house of Fauntleroy & Co. and the 
delinquency of the managing partner. 

Between 1790 and 1793 Clipstone Street, Norton 
Street, Upper Titchfield Street, &c. were built; but 
the breaking out of the war in that year, led to a 
long delay in the completion of the neighbourhood. 

The buildings on the east side of Cleveland 
Street, are of recent erection; the west side of 
Fitzroy Square having been left a dreary and 
dangerous chasm, for more than fifteen years. The 
following dreadful accident happened here on the 
night of Wednesday, Nov. 27, 1799: the Earl 
of Scarborough, accompanied by his sister, Lady 
Louisa Hartley, passing in his Lordship’s carriage, 
the coachman unfortunately drove off the road 
into the area, which had been dug preparatory to 
building the houses on that side of the Square. A 
gentleman named Shield happening to pass near 
the spot, and hearing violent groans, procured a 
light, and discovered the accident which had taken 
place. Proper assistance was immediately pro¬ 
cured, and Lord Scarborough and his sister, who 
had fainted, but most providentially had received 
no serious injury, were removed to the house of a 
French surgeon in the neighbourhood, together 
with the coachman, who had his ribs broken, and 
the footman, whose leg was shattered in such a 
dreadful manner, that immediate amputation was 
found necessary. Lord Scarborough very humanely 
ordered the best assistance to be procured; and 
Mr. Heavisides the Surgeon being called in, and 
concurring with the French Surgeon, the operation 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


215 

was immediately performed. His Lordship and 
his sister were removed in a hackney-coach to the 
house of Mr. Hartley in Gower Street. The escape 
of this nobleman was considered most miraculous, 
the height of the fall being from 10 to 12 feet. 
The footman died of the injury he had received, 
and was buried on the 22d of I)ecember. 

Great Mary-le-bone Street, New Cavendish 
Street, and Upper Mary-le-bone Street, form the 
next longest avenue east and west. In the first of 
these streets resided a very worthy character known 
by the familiar cognomen of Dr, Spence, who, in his 
early days, was the surgeon of the village, he being 
the only practitioner residing in it. This gentleman, 
at one time, possessed considerable property, and 
was highly respected; but becoming a disciple of 
Emanuel Swedenborg, he lost a considerable sum 
by publishing his works, and the death of a favourite 
daughter producing an aberration of intellect, he 
became reduced, and finally died, at an advanced 
age, in an obscure lodging in Westmoreland Street, 
in the receipt of a parochial allowance of 7s. per 
week. In Upper Mary-le-bone Street, resided 
another worthy but eccentric character, Mr. Cus- 
tance, who died in 1799.* 

The Edgware Road is skirted with houses, some 
of ancient date; those of the latter description are 
occupied by shop-keepers: the Corsican General 
Paoli resided in a house at the south end of Edgware 
Road, since occupied by Mr. Mortlock. Hence 
for three quarters of a mile northward is named 
Edgware Road, whence the rows of houses are 
successively named Caroline Place, Portman Place, 
Lyon Terrace, Windsor Terrace, Northwick Ter¬ 
race, containing a cluster of detached houses, of a 
most splendid style of architecture; Clarendon Place, 
consisting of handsome detached villas, here are also 


See notice of iVIr. Custauce under the head of lilog. 


21G 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


several extensive nursery grounds; Pine Apple 
Place; and, with the exception of two small fields, 
which are advertised to be let on building leases, 
the east side of the Edgware Road is skirted with 
houses all the way to Kilburn ; Abercorn Place, 
and Kilburn Priory being the last houses, at this 
extremity of the Parish. 

The most important avenues running from west 
to east, are: Upper Seymour Street, &c. described 
p. 205; Upper Berkeley Street, including the north 
side of Portman Square, and Lower Berkeley Street, 
terminating in Manchester Square. The principal 
residents, in Upper Berkeley Street, are:—Sir 
Archibald Murray, Bart.; Colonel Caldwell; Hon. 
Admiral Sir Courtenay Boyle, Bart.; Captain E. 
Margoty, R. N.; Capt. T. M*‘Taggart; Lieutenant- 
Col. Colston ; Col. Elwood; Lady Hammond, &c. 

In Lower Berkeley Street, reside Col. Lindsay; 
Sir W. Dal ling, Bart. ; John Pepys, Esq.; General 
Corner ; Miss Vaughan, &c. 

Upper George Street, and George Street Portman 
Square, are celebrated forhavingbeen the residence 
of many of the emigrant Nobility of France. M. 
Otto, the French Ambassador, resided here a short 
time, while a house was preparing for his residence 
in Portman Square. The Duke de Berri, and 
the Archbishop of Sens, also resided in this street; 
and T. R. G. llourke, the Danish Minister , at pre¬ 
sent resides here. 

In Upper George Street, is situated an extensive 
building occupied by Messrs. Harwood & Co. as 
a Decorative Paper Hanging Manufactory. This 
building was originally erected for a Coach Manu¬ 
factory, with ample room for carrying on every 
branch of that trade, but the proprietor becoming 
bankrupt, the premises were taken by Messrs. 
Harwood, who removed their business from Chelsea, 
The above streets form one avenue from the Edg¬ 
ware Road, terminating in Charles Street, leading 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


217 


to Thayer Street, which is a modern elongation of 


Hio-hthe southward. 

formerly King Street: in this street 
was situated the Royal Western Hospital, and, since 



the failure of that Establishment, the same building 
has been used as a Cholera Hospital, during the 
prevalence of that epidemic. 

Queen Street: in this street resided Mr. William 
Taplin, Veterinary Surgeon. This gentleman was 
author of u The Gentleman’s Stable Directory,” 
and various other publications. Mr. Taplin’s lively 
effusions, liberal opinions, and acute judgment, as 
a writer and veterinary surgeon, will be long re¬ 
membered by the sporting world. Many of his 
lesser productions are to be found in the Sporting 
Magazine; particularly some delightful descriptions 
of the Royal Chace in Windsor Forest, written in 
the genuine spirit and language of a true sportsman. 
About the year 1804, from family affliction, his 
faculties became impaired; and, from that period, 
his health had been declining till his death, which 
took place Jan. 1, 1807. 

The celebrated Cato Street passes from Queen 
Street northward to John Street; it consists of a 
number of small houses, occupied, chiefly, by the 
lowest class of Irish, and has frequently been the 
scene of disgraceful riot and confusion; the military 
having been repeatedly put into requisition to quell 
disturbances in this street. Its name has recently 
been altered to Horace Street. Molyneux and 
Shouldham Streets named after Adtn. Lord Should- 
ham, also branch northward from Queen Street. 

The mass of buildings and streets, from the 
Edgware Road to Lisson Grove eastward, and to 
St. John’s Wood Road northward, are occupied 
by the working classes : houses of cheap rent appear 
to have been the object of the builders; and the 
principle of speculation has been, to take large 
tracts of ground by the acre, and to crowd as many 


L 


218 


PORTMAN MARKET. 


streets and alleys into them as possible, in order to 
create so many feet lineal, to underlet for building; 
and the fruit of the speculation is the sale of the 
increased ground rents. In Lisson Grove North, 
reside Lady Jane Lyon, Charles Rossi, Esq. an 
eminent Sculptor,.&c. 

New Church Street West, Church Street and 
Alpha Road, form one avenue, terminating at the 
east end in Park Road, Regent’s Park. In Church 
Street is situated 

Portman Market, 

opened as a Haymarket in December, 1830, and 
for a Vegetable Market and for general purposes 
in the year following. This market occupies a 
square piece of ground of about three acres ; the 
shops and buildings are replete with every conve¬ 
nience, and reflect the highest credit on the taste 
and liberality of the proprietor; the Market Days 
are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and this 
Market presents far greater convenience than any 
other Market in London, the produce being all 
undercover; there is accommodation for more than 
100 loads of hay, and for carts and waggons, all 
sheltered from the weather, with stabling, store¬ 
houses, and separate abattoirs for slaughtering 
Beasts, Sheep and Pigs ; and pens for the sale of 
live stock. Not less than 60,000/. must have been 
sunk in the erection of this Market, which daily 
improves, and bids fair to become a formidable 
rival to Covent Garden. 

At Aberdeen Place, Maida Hill, the Regent’s 
Canal enters this Parish, passing under the Edgware 
Road. 

Regent’s Canal. 

The cutting of the Regent’s Canal was carried 
into effect under and by virtue of an Act of Par¬ 
liament of the 52d Geo. III. cap. 195, intituled 
cc An Act for making and maintaining a navigable 
Canal in the Parish of Paddington to the River 
Thames, in the Parish of Limehouse, with a col- 


regent’s canal. 


219 

lateral cut in the Parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch, 
in the County of Middlesexwhich Act has been 
explained and amended by several subsequent 
Statutes. 

It commences at Paddington, on the east side of 
the enlarged part near the first bridge on the 
Harrow Road, and, proceeding in a north-easterly 
direction, passes under the Edgware Road, by a 
tunnel 372 yards long, which continues under the 
estates of the Governors of Harrow School, and 
E. B. Portman, Esq. till it enters the property of 
H. S. Eyre, Esq. where the Canal is partly open, 
and partly covered; from Mr. Eyre’s estate it enters 
the Regent’s Park, and continues its course round 
the Park to a basin near the Jews’ Harp, which is 
surrounded by warehouses and wharfs. The Canal 
branches off from the Regent’s Park a short distance 
east of the boundary of this Parish, through the 
estates of G. Earle, Esq. Lord Southampton, &c. 
passing through Camden Town, and, crossing the 
Hampstead and Kentish Town Roads, and Maiden 
Lane to Islington, supplies a large basin called 
Horsfall’s Basin, in its way to White Conduit Fields. 
Here it passes through another tunnel 970 yards 
in length, under the town of Islington and the New 
River, and emerges into the field adjoining the 
City Gardens. At this place the water is received 
into a basin 1600 feet long by 110 feet wide, which, 
with its wharfs, covers an area of 25 acres. After 
supplying this basin with water, the canal conti¬ 
nues its course over the fields tow ards the Rosemary 
Branch; after which, it crosses the Kingsland and 
Hackney Roads, and passes onward by Stepney 
Fields, till it falls into the Thames at Limehouse. 
The length of the Canal is 8 miles 6 furlongs; it 
has a descent of about S4 feet from its commence¬ 
ment to its termination. There are 12 locks 
necessary for the purposes of navigation, and it 
has 40 bridges thrown over it in various places. 


220 CLERGY ORPHAN SCHOOLS. 

The Regent’s Canal, which was begun in 1812, 
was opened Aug. 1,1820, with an aquatic procession 
of boats, barges, &c. ornamented with flags and 
streamers, and filled with ladies and gentlemen, 
interested in the success of the undertaking.* 

St. John’s Wood Road is the next important 
avenue passing eastward from the Edgware Road, 
terminating at St. John’s W r ood Chapel: here is 
situated the New Cricket Ground, and St. John’s 
Wood Tavern, established in 1814: here also is a 
handsome building occupied by 

THE CLERGY ORPHAN SCHOOLS. 

The Schools of the incorporated Clergy Orphan 
Society, at St. John’s Wood, have no connection 
with the Parish, though it has been found conve¬ 
nient to erect them here: but some account of the 
Institution may well demand a place in this work. 

In the year 1749, some benevolent individuals, 
lamenting the state of destitution in which the 
families, and especially the younger children, of 
Clergymen, are frequently left; and, anxious to 
rescue them from the evils of poverty, and a neg¬ 
lected education, formed themselves into a Society 
for the purpose of clothing, maintaining, and edu¬ 
cating poor Orphans of Clergymen, until of age 
to be put apprentice. Their Schools were, at first, 
established, one at Acton, for the boys, and the 


* The plan of bringing a Navigable Canal to London on the 
same line as the Grand Junction Canal, appears to have been 
contemplated more than 70 years since. It was then considered 
of such importance, that the Committee for Canal Navigation for 
the City of London, in 1773, ordered a Survey to be made of a 
line from Mary-le-bone to Moorfields, to form a junction with an¬ 
other line proposed to be brought from Waltham Abbey : the Sur¬ 
vey was made by Robert Whitworth, and, in the Report which was 
published on the 5th of October, all the advantages arising from a 
Canal similar to the Regent’s Canal, were ingeniously described 
and duly appreciated. 


CLERGY ORPHAN SCHOOLS. 221 

other at Lisson Green, for the girls ; and were con¬ 
tinued there, on a moderate scale, till 1812, when 
the present building was erected by subscription ; 
in which the two schools have been brought toge¬ 
ther for the purpose of being more effectually 
superintended by the General Committee of Ma¬ 
nagement, and by the Ladies 5 Committee ; though 
they are still, as they were originally, in all res¬ 
pects, distinct and separate. But, though this 
Institution is situated in the vicinity of London, 
it is not, either in design or character, a local 
charity. It has been fixed in the neighbourhood 
of the metropolis, because no other situation 
appeared so advantageous for an establishment for 
poor Orphans of the Clergy of the Church of Eng¬ 
land. And, that it is not confined or partial, in 
the selection of those whom it receives under its 
care and protection, appears from this fact, that, of 
the orphans now in the Schools, six only belong 
to London, while one hundred and twenty-four 
come from other parts of the kingdom. 

The Boys are maintained, clothed and educated 
in the school till they are fourteen ; and the Girls 
till they are sixteen years of age. Elections of 
children into the Schools take place twice in the 
year ; at the Annual General Court, in February, 
and at a Quarterly General Court, in May. The 
Institution is under the patronage of their Majes¬ 
ties, is supported by all the Prelates of the Church, 
by a large number of the Clergy, and by many of 
the most distinguished individuals among the Laity. 
The Venerable Archdeacon Cambridge, and Rev. 
Dr. Shepherd are the Treasurers, and the Rev. 
John Moore, M. A. is the Secretary. 


222 STREETS AND AVENUES. 

From St. John’s Wood Road northwards the 
prevailing character of the buildings is that of de¬ 
tached villa residences, situated in large gardens, 
erected in every variety of architectural elegance, 
and occupied by persons of the first respectability. 
A number of artists reside in this neighbourhood, 
among whom maybe mentioned: Thomas Landseer; 
R. J. Lane; G. Sintzenich; and Edwin Landseer, 
R. A. Ugo Foscolo, the celebrated Italian Poet, 
resided in one of these villas. 

Portland Town is liable to the same objections 
as many of the before-mentioned streets, being 
composed of houses of the meanest description, 
and inhabited by persons in the humblest class of life: 
it is said, that there was some unaccountable over¬ 
sight in the arrangements made for letting out 
this land on building leases; and that the Duke of 
Portland was exceedingly angry when he discovered 
the character of the buildings erected on this 
property. 

The Park Road, Regent’s Park, extends from 
the north end of Pleasant Row in the New Road, 
along the south western boundary of the Park, to 
St. John’s Wood Chapel; is on the Crown Estate, 
and was granted, on the application of the Vestrymen 
of the Parish, 66 to be used as a Carriage Road for 
the conveyance of Corpses to the New Burial 
Ground:” the road is skirted with houses on the 
east side, and many respectable shops. In this 
road is a new range of handsome buildings, called 
Kent Terrace, in memory of a deceased member 
of the Royal Family. 

Cumberland Place. 

This Crescent, which was originally intended 
for a circus, was built about 1774-5, the houses 
are well built, and uniform; Great Cumberland 
Street, Cumberland Place, and Cumberland Street, 
Portman Square, complete the avenue from Cum- 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


223 

berland Gate Hyde Park, to Bryanston Square; 
among the present residents appear the names of 
the following distinguished persons Great Cum - 
her land Street: Lord Saltoun; Mrs. Portman; John 
Wells, Esq.; Colonel Sherwood; Captain Richard 
Manby; John Lodge, Esq.; Major Murray; Robert 
Cutlar Fergusson, Esq.; John N. M‘Leod, Esq.; 
and Lord Bagot. Great Cumberland Place: Hans 
Busk, Esq.; Sir Clifford Constable; Sir Frederick 
Hamilton; Lady C. Underwood; Sir G. Ivison 
Tapps; Baron Bulow (the Prussian Minister); 
General Sir R. M 4 Farlane; Leonard Currie, Esq.; 
Sir S. B. Fludyer, Bart; Lady Trollope; Earl of 
Leitrim; Sir Alexander Johnston; and the Hon. and 
Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Norwich. Cum¬ 
berland Street , Portman Square: Rev. Arthur 
Pearson; Hon. Captain Curzon, R. N.; Captain 
Beaufort, R. N.; Henry Hoare, Esq.; Lady E. 
Tufton; William Blount, Esq.; George Buck, Esq. ; 
Major Robinson; Lieutenant-Colonel Lluellyn; 
General D. Douglas Wemyss, &c. 

The next important avenue running from south 
to north is Portman Street, including the west 
side of Portman Square, Gloucester Street, Glou* 
cester Place, Upper Gloucester Street, the east 
side of Dorset Square, Dorset Place, and Upper 
Gloucester Place, Regent’s Park. In Portman 
Street, is situated the Barracks for the Foot Guards; 
here also resided for a short time, in the house of 
Lady Ann Hamilton, Her late Majesty Queen 
Caroline, Consort of George IV. upon her return 
from the Continent, in 1821. In Gloucester Place 
resided the American General Arnold, who died 
June 14, 1801: the Veteran Lord Cathcart, resided 
here for several years; and the notorious Mrs. Mary 
Ann Clarke, also resided here at the period of her 
rupture with His late Royal Highness the Duke 
of York. The houses are uniform, and occupied 
by persons of distinction, among whom are the 


224 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


Lieut. - Gen eralR. Hopkins; Rev. Robert Walpole, 

B. D. Rector of Christchurch; Vice-Admiral Fel- 
lowes; Major-General Orr; Montagu Burgoyne, 
Esq.; Count de Ludolf, Sicilian Minister; the 
Bishop of Carlisle, &c. 

In King Street is situated the Bazaar, for the 
sale of Horses and Carriages, by Commission and 
by Auction ; for Saddlery, Harness, Furniture and 
Miscellaneous Articles; lately in the occupation of 
Mr. Maberly, but now in the possession of Mr. M. 

C. Allen. The premises contain stabling for nearly 
400 Horses, a capacious Riding School, Standing 
for 500 Carriages, a Ladies’ Bazaar, for the Sale of 
Miscellaneous Articles, the entrance to which is in 
Baker Street; a Suite of Rooms for the Sale of 
Furniture ; and a splendid Saloon for the reception 
and display of Works of Art. These extensive 
premises, which extend over upwards of two acres 
of ground, were erected for the stables and bar¬ 
racks of the 2d Regiment of Life Guards; but the 
Government having given them up on the erection 
of the Regent’s Park Barracks, the Bazaar was 
established, and has been a very successful specu¬ 
lation, having become a fashionable place of resort, 
for the Nobility and Gentry of the neighbourhood. 

Orchard Street, Baker Street, York Place, and 
Upper Baker Street, including the east side of 
Portman Square, is a continued line of building, 
and seems to increase equally in length and 
splendour, commencing in Oxford Street, and ter¬ 
minating at the Park Road, opposite Clarence 
Gate. York Place is remarkably beautiful; many 
of the inhabitants consist of titled persons, and 
those of the most ancient families; John Far- 
quhar, Esq. of Fonthill Abbey, died in York 
Place; and that celebrated tragic actress, Mrs. 
Siddons, breathed her last at her residence in 
Upper Baker Street. Among the persons of dis¬ 
tinction at present residing in Baker Street , will 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


225 

be found: Captain I. W. D. Dundas, R. N.; Gen. 
Sir J. Hamilton, Bart.; Sir Bentinck Doyle; 
Major-General Mawby; Lady Hawley; Earl of 
Huntingdon. In York Place reside, Henry Charles 
Hoare, Esq.; Hon. Edward and Lady Katherine 
Stewart; Sir W. Russell, Bart. M. D.; Major Li¬ 
vingston; Hon. Mrs. Ferguson; Colonel Dacre; 
Lady Nightingall; Henry Merrick Hoare, Esq.; 
A. J. Mackenzie, Esq.; j. J. Holford, Esq.; Miss 
Sainsbury, &c. 

Paddington Street was built about 1772, and 
continued by Durweston Street, which street has 
since been altered to Crawford Street, and form 
one long avenue east to west from High Street, 
interspersed with many elegant shops. Paddington 
Street is celebrated for having been the residence 
of Brothers, the pretended Prophet. Devonshire 
Street, Weymouth Street, and Queen Anne Street 
West, are superior in their buildings, and are 
occupied principally by the Nobility and Gentry. 

Nottingham Place consists of handsome houses 
occupied by persons of the first respectability, 
among whom are;—John Turner, Esq.; Mrs. and 
Miss Deare; W. Kinnaird Jackson, Esq.; Colonel 
Leake; Admiral Sir Edward Hamilton, See , 

Stratford Place, 

which for uniformity and neatness, may be classed 
among the principal ornaments of the Parish, 
was built about 1774: it consists of two uniform 
rows of houses, leading into a small area, or square, 
the upper, or north side of which is formed by an 
elegant edifice (Aldborough house),* with a stone 


* Edward Stratford, Earl of Aldborough, Viscount Amiens, 
Baron of Baiting-lass, Governor of the County of Wicklow, and 
F. R. S. He married, first, Barbara, daughter of the Honourable 
Nicholas Herbert, of Great Gleuham, Suffolk. Having taken the 
lease of the ground, called Conduit Mead, of the city of London, 
he planned and built part of Stratford-Plaee, and Aldborough^ 


226 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


front, which is composed of a rustic basement story, 
supporting a range of columns of the Ionic order, 
crowned with an entablature, decorated with ox- 
sculls, from the horns of which hang neat festoons 
of flowers and foliage. Above this entablature rises 
a triangular pediment, from the sides of which a 
balustrade, ornamented with elegant vases, is con¬ 
tinued along the top of the building. From each 
side of this building, a Doric colonnade, crowned 
with a balustrade, and ornamented with vases, ex¬ 
tends to the east and west sides of the area, the 
fronts of the houses in which are stuccoed, and the 
windows of the principal story ornamented with a 
triangular and a circular pediment, alternately. 
The sides of the street leading into the area, are 
exactly similar. All the houses are of brick; but 
those in the centre, and at the ends, are ornamented 
with stone, in a style corresponding with the prin¬ 
cipal building in the area. On each side of the 
entrance is a small house for a watchman, on the top 
of which is the figure of a lion carved in stone. 

The late Lieut.-General Strode, at whose ex¬ 
pense the equestrian statue of William Duke of 
Cumberland was put up in Cavendish-square, in 
1770, also erected, in 1799, in the centre of the 
circular part of this place, a handsome Corinthian 
pillar and pedestal, upwards of twenty feet in height, 

House, where they resided. At her death, in 1787, he let it on 
lease, and, marrying-, secondly, May 24, 1788, Ann Elizabeth, 
daughter of Sir John Hcnniker, of Newton-Hall, near Duninow, 
and Stratford-House, West Ham, both in the county of Essex, with 
a dowry of £50,000. he built anew mansion for himself adjoining 
Aldborough-House, for their town residence, and finished Stratford- 
Place according to his original plan. His Lordship died January 
2, 1801, of a stroke of the palsy, at his mansion of Belan, in the 
county of Wicklow, and was buried in a vault in St. Thomas’s 
Church in D iblin, the 7th of the same month. Aldborough-Ilouse 
has been occupied, at various periods, by His Grace the Duke of 
St. Albans, His Highness, Prince Esterhazv, and other persons of 
distinction. Their Imperial Highnesses the Arch-Dukes John 
and Lew is of Austria, also resided at this house during their visit 
to this country. 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


227 


commemorative of the naval victories of Great 
Britain; this pillar supported a statue of His 
Majesty George III. with trophies, &c. and the 
following inscriptions:— 

On the Front Square. 

“ Sacred to British Glory and the Heroes 
of its Empire; 

who, aided by the Almighty, 
have carried their victorious arms 
throughout every region 
of the earth; 
liberating mankind 
from the Atheistical principles, 
unjust usurpations, 
and tyrannical subjugation 
of rapacious France, 

restoring due subordination, felicity, and 
civilization throughout 
Europe.” 

On the right-hand Square. 

u In this memorable year, 
on the 4th of May, 1799, 

Seringapatam was taken by storm, 
and the perfidious Tippoo Saib 
slain in his capital, 

by the English forces under General Harris; 
the territory of Mysore, 
and Port of Mangalore, 
annexed to the Eastern dominions 
of Great Britain; 
and quiet and security restored 
to that quarter of the 
Globe.” 

On the left-hand Square. 

“ In memory of 
the atchievements of Admirals 
Lords Hawke, Rodney, Howe, Hood, 

Bridport, St. Vincent, Nelson, Duncan, 

Sir John Borlase Wanren, 

Sir Sidney Smith, and Mitchell, 
who, in different actions with the 
Spanish, French, and Dutch, 
took the Admirals of each nation; 


228 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


captured, sunk, and destroyed, 
above one thousand of their ships, 
annihilating their Fleets and commerce, 
and ascertained and maintained, 
under the Divine Providence, 
the Empire of Great Britain over the 
Globe.” 

On the Bach Square. 

“ Stet columna, 
in secula stet, 

magis floreant res Britannicse; 
sic sperat precat 
Edw. Aug. Stratford, 

Comes de Aldborough, de Ormond Super, 
Vicecomes Amiens, 

Baro de Baltinglass, &c. &c. &c. 

Qui, 

regnante Georgio Tertio, 
sub auspiciis Dei Omnipotentis, 
annoque Salutis, 1799, 
posuit.” 

The foundation of this pillar having given way, 
the whole was taken down about the year 1805. 

Stratford Place comprises twenty-one houses; 
the present residents are, Sir Giffin Wilson ; Dow¬ 
ager Lady Ellenborough; G. W. Tapps, Esq.; Sir 
Robert Smirke; Edward Drummond, Esq.; Lieut. - 
Colonel Marton ; George Hayter, Esq.; Hon. Col. 
J. W. Stratford; Right Hon. Sir J. and Lady Anne 
Beckett; Sir Thomas Phillips, Bart.; Lewis De- 
sanges; Lieut.-General Sir W. H. Pringle; Mrs. 
Joseph Cotton; Earl of Wemyss and March ; 
Thomas Emmerson, Esq.; Thomas John Burgoyne, 
Esq. 

The Estate of John Thomas Hope , Esq. 

This estate, which was formerly called Conduit 
Field, came into the possession of the present 
proprietor, by his marriage with the daughter 
and heiress of Sir Thomas Edwardes, Bart, and 
comprises 20 acres of land, on which are erected 
part of Oxford Street, Somerset Street, Edwards 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 229 

Street, Duke Street, and that densely populated 
mass of buildings known by the names of Gee’s 
Court, Barrett’s Court, &c. It had been originally 
intended to have formed one long avenue from 
Henrietta Street to Somerset Street, and to have 
erected a line of handsome and uniform houses, 
but the building of Stratford Place by the Earl of 
Aldborough, preventing this design being carried 
into effect, did considerable injury to this property; 
the Builders of that period refusing to speculate 
in erecting large houses on this spot; hence arise 
the above narrow courts and mean buildings. It 
appears that the City of London, in defining the 
boundary of their land, in the early part of the 
last century, made an encroachment upon this 
property, which the unaccountable apathy of the 
then proprietor suffered to take place without re¬ 
sistance, and a small portion of this land was there¬ 
fore lost to the family. The Earl of Aldborough, 
likewise forgetting to # respect the rights of property, 
in his anxiety to render Stratford Place the most 
magnificent pile of buildings of that period, made 
a still further encroachment on this estate, by erect¬ 
ing the buildings on the west side of Stratford 
Place, over the brook which formed the boundary 
line between the two estates ; but for which a com¬ 
pensation has recently been made. 

The present respected proprietor, actuated by 
the most liberal and praiseworthy motives, has 
offered to resign to the Vestry, certain buildings, 
which project in Oxford Street, to be taken down, 
for the purpose of advancing the improvement of 
the neighbourhood, and promoting the convenience 
of the public, by widening the foot pavement. The 
Vestry have not yet, however, thought proper to 
avail themselves of this liberal and spirited offer, 
but the tenants of these buildings hold possession, 
with an understanding to quit whenever the Vestry 
may require them. 


230 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


Welbeck Street. 

Is a handsome well-built street, named after the 
Duke of Portland’s seat at Welbeck. It will long 
be famous in the annals of London, for having 
been the residence of Lord George Gordon, who 
figured so conspicuously in the Riots of 1780. A 
very different character also resided in this street, 
dying in 1769, viz. Edmund Hoyle, Esq. to whom 
the gaming portion of the community are under 
the deepest obligations for his treatises on the 
Game of Whist, &c. Here, also, resided, for a 
short time before his death, that celebrated and 
eccentric character John Elwes, Esq. He removed 
to his seat at Marcham in Berkshire, in the year 
1789, where he expired on the 26th of November, 
after an illness of eight days. This street, which 
was one of the earliest built after Cavendish 
Square, appears to have been the most fashionable 
street of that time. The following are the principal 
residents of the present day;—General Sir Charles 
Doyle; Jesse Cole, Esq. Solicitor; Captain Whish, 
R. N.; John Harrison, Esq. Architect; Sir David 
Barry, M. D.; Rev. James Smirnove; Captain 
Griffiths; Sir Peter Pole, Bart.; Mrs. Colonel 
Scott; Major-General Clitherow ; Count Mortara; 
Lady Nisbet; Lieutenant-Colonel Chaplin ; Dow. 
Lady Knatchbull; Hon. Mrs. Stopford; Colonel 
Nugent; and John Hill, Esq. Solicitor. Here is 
also situated the 

St. Mary-le-bone General Dispensary. 

Instituted 1785, for administering advice and 
Medicines for the relief of the Sick and Lame 
Poor and Pregnant Women of the Parishes of St. 
George, Hanover Square; St. Mary-le-Bone; St. 
Anne, Soho; St. Martin ; St. Pancras ; St. Giles ; 
St. George, Bloomsbury ; St. James ; Paddington, 


ST. MARY-LE-BONE GENERAL DISPENSARY. 231 

and places adjacent; at tlie Dispensary, or at their 
own Habitations. 

The object of this Institution is to administer 
Advice and Medicine to the Sick Poor of all 
Classes. 

To Females its benefits must appear the most 
forcible ; the industrious Wife being attended with 
the utmost care at the time of her greatest distress. 

The treatment of the Diseases of Children is 
specially attended to; and Vaccination is performed 
without any letter of recommendation. 

The better to afford efficacy to Medicine, as the 
Poor are often in want of suitable food, they are 
supplied, at the discretion of the Medical Officers, 
with wine, rice, sago, barley, tapioca, &c. in all 
cases that particularly require such assistance. 

The great number of Patients that have been, 
and continue to be daily relieved by this Charity, 
and the great encouragement it has long expe¬ 
rienced by the voluntary Subscriptions of the 
Nobility, Gentry, and others, afford the most 
convincing proof of its utility; which it is hoped 
may be extended by additional benefactions. 

Patron. 

His Most Gracious Majesty. 

President. 

His Grace the Duke of Portland. 

Treasurers. 

Joseph Hobbs, Esq. Edward Young, Esq. 

Physicians. 

James Bartlet, M. D. George Sigmond, M. D. 

Physician-Accoucheur. 

Henry Davies, M. D. 

Surgeons. 

Titus Berry, Esq. F. B. Samweil, Esq. 

Apothecary. 

Mr. G. Grice, at the Dispensary. 

Secretary. 

Mr. Thomas P. Lowe, 110, High Street. 


232 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


Wimpole Street, is a beautiful uniform street, 
terminating in Devonshire Place, which is 72 feet 
wide; and skirted with splendid mansions. In 
Devonshire Place resided the Rev. W. Holwell 
Carr, B. D. who died Jan. 24, 1830. This gentle¬ 
man was a distinguished patron of the Fine Arts, 
and bequeathed his valuable collection of Pictures 
to the National Gallery. The principal residents 
in Devonshire Place, are:—Col. Hanmer ; Lieut. 
Col. J. Baillie; Hon. M. Fortescue; Dr. H. 
Young; Sir Thomas Baring, Bart.; Rev. Stowel 
Chudleigh; Lieut. Gen. Sir W. Anson; Lady 
Stanley; Major-Gen. Sir T. Reynell, and Lady 
Elizabeth; Wastel Brisco, Esq. &c. 

In Wimpole Street, formerly resided Her Grace 
the late Duchess of Wellington, during the Penin¬ 
sular War; the late Sir Thomas Bernard also 
resided here. The principal present residents are: 
—Sir C. Scudamore, M. D. ; Lady B. Bouverie; 
Col. Sir T. IT. Doyle; Lord Bridport; Lord 
Edward Somerset; Lady Durrant; Capt. W. Pat¬ 
terson, R. N.; Rear Admiral Sir J. T. Rodd; J. 
Rawlinson, Esq.; Col. Higginson: Admiral Sir 
T. By am Martin; Right Hon. Sir C. Robinson; 
Lady Rowley; Right Hon. Sir H. Russell, Bart.; 
Hon. Lady Murray; Sir W. Brisco, Bart.; Rev. 
G. A. Thursby; Lieut.-Gen. Hodgson, See. 

In Upper Wimpole Street, reside Lady Fras. 
Fitzwilliam; Godfrey Meynell, Esq.; I. W. Fresh- 
field, Esq.; Capt. Johnstone; Sir W. Young, Bart.; 
G. Arbuthnot, Esq.; Rev. Richard Bouchier, Esq. 

Harley Street. In this street, resided the late 
Rt. Hon. Frances, Dowager Viscountess Nelson, 
Duchess of Bronte, relict of the Hero of the Nile 
and Trafalgar. Her ladyship was the widow of Josiah 
Nisbet, M. D. when his present Majesty performed 
the ceremony of giving her away in marriage to 
Lord Nelson, at the Island of Nevis, in the year 
1787. Her maiden name was Woodward, and she 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


233 

was niece to William Herbert, Esq. President of 
the Island: her Ladyship died, May 4, 1831. The 
principal residents in this street, are: Lady Mary 
Petre ; Dr. H. Southey; Hon. Capt. Waldegrave; 
Sir W. Beechey, R. A.; Sir G. A. Lewin ; Rev. 
H. Latham ; Capt. Bullock; Gen. Bradshaw ; Rt. 
Hon. Sir L. Shadwell; Hon. Mrs. Fitzroy ; Lord 
Redesdale; Sir C. Des Voeux, Bt.; the Duke of 
Dorset; Gen. Sir J. Champagne; Gen. Sir G. 
Walker; Dow. Lady Rodney ; Viscount Strang- 
ford; Lady Hunter; Lady Farquhar; Adm. Don¬ 
nelly ; Sir Robt. Buxton, Bt.; Adm. Sir Henry 
Digby ; Visctss. Andover; Rt. Hon. J. Sullivan, 
&c. 

Upper Harley Street. Died at his house in this 
street, June 21, 1800, in consequence of a melan¬ 
choly accident, which he met with on the preceding 
night, William Bosanquet, Esq. He had been 
making some alterations in his house, and, among 
others, had removed the balcony from his back 
drawing room window: unfortunately forgetting 
this circumstance he walked out, and immediately 
fell into the area, and, in his fall, broke the vertebrae 
of his back, and was otherwise severely bruised 
and injured. He was sensible of his inevitable 
dissolution, and bore his sufferings with a fortitude 
almost unparalleled; dictating, in the extremity of 
torture, some additions to his will. He left a most 
amiable lady, and ten children, to deplore his loss. 
Mr. Bosanquet was son of the respected Bank 
Director of that name; and brother of Jacob Bo¬ 
sanquet, Esq. of Broxbourn, formerly Chairman of 
the East-India Company; and he was a partner in 
the Banking-house of Foster and Lubbock. An¬ 
other lamentable occurrence also took place in this 
street, on the 27th of April, 1831 : at two o’clock in 
the morning, the house of Lord Walsingham was 
discovered to be on fire. His Lordship was unfor¬ 
tunately burnt to death in his bed chamber; and 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


234 

Lady Walsingham, in her fright, precipitated her¬ 
self out of the window of her room, on to some 
leads at the back of the house, and shortly after 
expired, from the injuries she had received. The 
present residents in this street, are :—The Hon. W. 
F. Elphinstone; Lady Walsh; Hon. Col. Hen. 
Windsor; Marquis De la Belynave; Rev. R. S. 
Dixon; Baron de Cetto, Bavarian Minister; Lt. 
Col. Vans-Agnew; Pascoe St. Leger Grenfell, 
Esq.; Lady Pole ; Adm. Sir Robert Stopford; Col. 
W. B. Davis; S. Bosanquet, Esq.; Sir Wm. Horne, 
Attorney- General , and M. P. for the Borough of 
Mary-le-bone ; Sir W. Earle Welby, Bt.; Sir H. 
W. Martin, Bt., &c. 

In Chandos Street, resided Prince Esterhazy, the 
Austrian Ambassador , and Baron de Neumann. 
The magnificent structure called Chandos House 
was built by the Duke of Chandos; and James, 
third and last Duke of Chandos, resided at this 
mansion; the following agonizing catastrophe 
occurred here, on the occasion of the christening 
of His Grace's infant daughter, in September, 1778, 
when their Majesties stood sponsors in person; 
and when, melancholy to relate, the child was seized 
with convulsions and died in the nurse’s arms, 
during the ceremony; the glare of light being the 
presumed cause of its death. After the above 
dreadful occurrence, the family never held up their 
heads: the Duke died in 1789, and the Duchess 
retired from the world, but not from the house, in 
which she took a melancholy pleasure to reside 
until removed by death. 

In Mansfield Street reside : H. T. Hope, Esq. ; 
Marquis of Sligo ; Lord Petre ; Earl of Limerick; 
W. Camac, Esq.; Rt. Hon. T. Spring Rice, Esq. 
and Lady Theodosia ; Chev. de Cordoba, Spanish 
Charge <dAffaires; Lord Stourton; Sir S. Scott, 
Bt. ; Enoch Durant, Esq. &c. 

At the back of Chandos House in Duchess Street 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


235 

is situated the mansion of the late Thomas Hope, 
Esq.; which has long been an object of interest to 
lovers of the Fine Arts, on account of the valuable 
collection of sculpture, antique vases and pictures, 
and the splendid and original style of interior deco¬ 
ration with which it was fitted up from the designs 
of its late proprietor. The house was originally 
built by Mr. Adams, and was the property of Gen. 
Clarke, the husband of the Dowager Countess of 
Warwick, who was sister to Sir W. Hamilton. The 
exterior presents plain brick walls only, without 
dressings or ornament of any kind ; the building is 
rendered fire proof; the floors being raised on 
groined arches, and the ceilings of all the principal 
rooms are arched, supporting over them floors of 
Roman cement. The approach or entrance is 
through a gateway leading to a square court-yard. 
At the south end of this court is the dwelling-house, 
the basement story of which is appropriated to 
domestic offices, and the first floor is occupied by a 
series of reception rooms; and a Picture gallery. 
This floor, extending round three sides of the 
court, constitutes the principal suite of apartments, 
comprising, in its rich and varied contents, a mosfc 
interesting and highly valued series of works of 
art. The following description of the decoration 
of the apartments of this house, is taken from 
Westmacotf s British Galleries , 8vo. 1824. 

Egyptian or Black Room .—The ornaments that 
adorn the walls of this little Canopus, are taken 
from Egyptian scrolls of papyrus, and those of the 
ceiling from various mummy cases; and the prevail¬ 
ing colours, both of the furniture and ornaments, 
are that pale yellow and bluish green which holds 
so conspicuous a rank among the Egyptian pig¬ 
ments, skilfully relieved by the occasional intro¬ 
duction of masses of black and gold. 

Blue or Indian Room .—The decorations of this 
apartment are in the most costly style of Oriental 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


236 

splendour; the curtains, ottomans, &c. are all of 
rich damask silk. 

Star'-Room .—The whole surrounding decoration 
of this apartment is in unison with the classic sub¬ 
ject bv Flaxman, which forms the centre object of 
attraction. Aurora visiting Ceplialus on Mount 
Ida ; the design has been rendered in some degree 
analagous to these personages, and to the face of 
nature, at the moment when the first of the two, 
the goddess of the morn, is supposed to announce 
the break of day. Round the bottom of the room 
still reign the emblems of night. In the rail of a 
black marble table are introduced medallions of 
the God of Sleep and the Goddess of Night. The 
bird consecrated to the latter deity is seen perched 
on the pillars of a black marble chimney-piece, 
whose broad frieze is studded with the emblems of 
night. Figures of the youthful hours, adorned with 
wreaths of foliage, form the chief decorations of the 
furniture, which is mostly gilt, to give relief to the 
azure, black and orange compartment of the dra¬ 
peries. 

The Closet .—The Closet or Boudoir, is fitted up 
/or the reception of a few Egyptian, Hindoo, and 
Chinese Idols and curiosities. The sides of this 
Lararium are formed of pillars, and the tops of 
laths of bamboo ; from which is suspended a cotton 
drapery, in the manner of a tent. The mantel¬ 
piece is designed in imitation of an Egyptian por¬ 
tico, which being placed against a background of 
looking glass, appears insulated. On the steps of 
this architectural ornament are placed Idols, and in 
the niches bas-reliefs. 

Picture Gallery .—-In this apartment, the centre 
of the ceiling is supported by small columns, which 
divide the light, and are imitated from those seen 
at Athens, in the upper division of the octagon 
building, vulgarly called the Temple of the Winds. 

These columns rest on massy beams, similar to 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 237 

those in marble, which lie across the peristyle of 
the Temple of Theseus ; the larger columns, which 
support the entablature, are profiles of those of the 
Propylaea. The organ assumes the appearance of 
a sanctuary. The Ionic columns, entablature and 
pediment, are copied from the exquisitely beautiful 
specimen in the Temple of Erechtheus, in the 
Acropolis of Athens: over the centre of the pedi¬ 
ment, is the car of Apollo; the tripods, sacred to 
the god of music, surmount the angles; the dra¬ 
pery which descends over the pipes in the form of 
an ancient pepluus or veil, is embroidered with 
laurel wreaths, and other emblems appropriate to 
the son of Latona. The massive tables, with re¬ 
cesses for books and portfolios, and the antique 
pedestals and implements, which adorn the sides of 
the chamber, have all the classic uniformity of the 
general decoration. 

The splendid and unique Collection of Greek 
Vases .—These treasures of antiquity are arranged 
in four separate apartments leading to the Picture 
Gallery, and may be safely pronounced the most 
interesting and unique collection in the world. 
The furniture is decorated with the scenic mask 
of the Thyrsus, twined round with ivy leaf; the 
panther’s muzzle and claw; and chimeras in bronze, 
from models of ideal animals found among the 
ruins of Pompeia. The vases consist of nearly two 
hundred specimens, among which, are two beautiful 
modern copies of the Barbarini or Portland vase. 

The New Gallery .—This splendid apartment 
has been recently added to the extensive galleries 
of Mr. Hope, and affords additional proof of the 
distinguished talent and fine taste of this liberal 
patron of the arts. It is of an oblong form, 48 
feet in length, by 22 in breadth, and was erected 
by Mr. W. Atkinson, from designs and under the 
direction of Mr. T. Hope, for the reception of one 
hundred pictures in the Flemish school of painting, 
and in the superlative class of art. 


238 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


The apartment may, with great justice, be termed 
a Jewel Closet; not less from the treasures of art 
contained therein^ than from its splendour of deco¬ 
ration, appropriate elegance, and tasteful arrange¬ 
ment. The centre of the ceiling, which is divided 
into sunk pannels with gold patres in the centre, 
rises from a gallery of circular-headed lights, which 
are continued on the four sides of a quadrangle, 
with very slight divisions. The under part of the 
ceiling springs from a cove, and is enriched with 
gold mouldings, and five sunk pannels at each end 
of the room; the doors are of polished mahogany, 
inlaid with classical designs in brass, richly en¬ 
graved. Opposite the door, is a light blue Ottoman 
spreading round the end of the room, on the sides 
of which, are disposed Grecian couch-chairs carved, 
of the most beautiful designs, and tripod-tables of 
elegant structure, crowned with rich specimens of 
variegated marble slabs, under some of which are 
fine antique bronze casts of the Dying Gladiator, 
the Wrestlers, and curious antique vases. Down 
the centre of the room, from end to end, leaving a 
sufficient passage, is a beautiful screen, executed 
in mahogany, the lower compartments of which 
extend on each side, and are adapted for the re¬ 
ception of splendid books of fine art, with which it 
is well stored. Six elegant chased gold brackets, 
supporting Grecian lamps, spring from each side, 
and, ranged along the top, are several beautiful 
bronze figures, and choice vases, mostly antiques 
of great value; on each side of the screen, ten of 
the choicest paintings are arranged, and hung on 
centres, so that the connoisseur may turn them to 
obtain a suitable light. As a collection, the pictures 
contained therein are perfectly unique, every work 
of the least doubtful character, or second-rate class, 
being carefully excluded. 

This splendid mansion is liberally opened to the 
Public, under similar restrictions to those adopted 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 239 

by the Marquis of Stafford, Earl Grosvenor, &c. 
Visitors are admitted on the Mondays during the 
season of the Nobility being in town, between the 
hours of 11 and 3. 

Regent Circus, 

and the continuation of Regent Street, from Oxford 
Street, built from the Plan of Mr. Nash, which 
was adopted in 1814, is composed of houses with 
handsome fronts, calculated for broad showy shop 
windows, where goods and manufactured articles 
are displayed to the greatest advantage, with wide 
private doors for entrance to the upper apartments; 
such is the prevailing character of the houses ex¬ 
tending from Oxford Street to Margaret Street; 
and from thence to Mortimer Street, there is much 
novelty and picturesque effect displayed in the 
otherwise clumsy piers and sepulchral arches of 
the entrance story to the houses, their deep re¬ 
cesses afford a solid base for the superstructure 
of the elevation; the handsome arched facade to 
the row of stables on the west side, is an ingenious 
contrivance to conceal an obvious defect, and highly 
creditable to the artist; the front of Mr. Marks’s 
Coach Manufactory on the east side of the street, 
would have been admired for a gentleman’s mansion 
a few years agOj but is now lost among the archi¬ 
tectural beauties in its immediate vicinity. Passing 
All Souls’ Church, the street here takes a hand¬ 
some sweep round the elegant mansion and grounds 
of Sir James Langham, to Langham Place, which 
is an elongation of Portland Place, built on part 
of the site of Foley House. Langham Place con¬ 
sists of 15 noble mansions occupied by persons of 
rank, among whom are: the Lord Bishop of Bath 
and Wells; Sir Anthony Carlisle; Right Hon. 
Lady Ongley ; Mr. Baron Vaughan; and the Right 
Hon. Lady St. John; Sir John D. Astley, Bart; 
and Sir Gilbert Heathcote, 


240 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


Portland Place, 

which is considered the handsomest street in 
London, consists of 73 houses of the very lirst-rate 
description: it is 126 feet wide, and was built 
about 1772. The houses, for the most part, have 
Ionic fronts, with balustrades concealing the attics; 
at certain regular intervals they have pediments : 
the houses having this addition are facing each 
other all the way on both sides of the street; the 
intermediate houses without pediments are Tuscan 
or Doric. This noble street owes its origin to 
Mr. Robert Adams, and to a restrictive clause in 
the agreement between the Duke of Portland and 
the ancestor of the present Lord Foley. 44 When 
the latter determined to build Foley House in the 
fields near Cavendish Square, he stipulated, that 
no other building should be erected upon the same 
estate to the north; this stipulation, it is probable, 
had no other object than to prevent any accidental 
nuisance to Foley House; but when the riches 
which flowed into the country after the peace of 
1763, had excited a rage for building, and houses 
rose like exhalations in the Parish of St. Mary-le- 
bone, both parties discovered its importance: the 
ancestor of Lord Foley then saw the cheerfulness 
of his house preserved by the force of this 
stipulation, and the Duke of Portland felt that 
his projected improvements were checked by the 
same means. Mr. Adams contrived, in some 
measure, to reconcile their jarring interests, by 
making a street, equal in width to the whole extent 
of Foley House; thus conforming to the letter of 
the covenant, without materially affecting the pros¬ 
pect, or obstructing the ardour of speculation.” 
Foley House was an elegant mansion and possessed 
an enviable situation, with an extensive garden, 
&c. the last occupier of Foley House was Lord 
Rendlesham. Portland Place was originally bounded 
on the south, by the fields, but in the progress of 


STREETS AND AVENUES. 


241 


modern improvement: it has been extended by the 
addition of four houses on each side, named Upper 
Portland Place, to Park Crescent. The following 
distinguished persons at present reside in Portland 
Place : Sir S. Graham, Bart.; Count Batthyany ; 
Robert Farquhar, Esq.; Viscount Boyne; Hon. G. 
F. Hamilton; Earl of Sheffield; Earl of Stirling; 
Martin Stapylton, Esq.; Admiral Lord Colville; Sir 
Robert Sheffield, Bart.; Hon. Edward Monckton ; 
Earl of Mansfield; Sir Richard Borough, Bart.; 
Lord Skelmersdale; Rev. Sir W. H. Cooper, Bart.; 
Sir Richard B. Philipps, Bart.; Charles and Lady 
Mary Ross; Sir William Curtis, Bart.; Sir Richard 
Paul Joddrell, Bart. &c. In Upper Portland Place 
reside the Dow. Duchess of Richmond; Lord Arthur 
Lennox; Lord Walsingham ; Hon. Major-General 
King, and Col. William Blackburne, &c. 

Park Crescent. 

The fronts of the Houses in Park Crescent have 
a very neat colonnade of double Ionic pillars with 
a balustrade and balcony. The area of this Crescent 
is laid out in planted pleasure grounds, and sur¬ 
rounded with a beautiful ornamental iron railing. 
In this garden immediately facing Portland Place 
is placed a statue of His Royal Highness the late 
Duke of Kent, executed in bronze by Gahagan , 
and elevated on a granite pedestal. The figure is 
7 feet 2 inches in height, and the weight of metal 
is two tons. The Royal Duke is represented in a 
standing posture, dressed in a Field Marshal’s 
uniform, with a drapery of his robes and the collar 
of the Order of the Garter. The attitude is simple 
and unaffected, and the whole figure is an excellent 
likeness of the Royal Personage it represents. In 
Park Crescent reside the Marchioness Cornwallis; 
Count de Surveilliers; Countess St. Germains; 
Hon. Mr. Justice Alderson; Admiral Sir Richard 
King; Hon. Lady Edmonstone, &c. 

M 


242 


MARY-LE-BONE PARK. 


In Portland Road, died Sir Francis Bourgeois, 
who bequeathed his valuable collection of Pictures 
to Dulwich College. It appears that this gentle¬ 
man intended to have left this beautiful Collection 
as the commencement of the foundation of a Na¬ 
tional Gallery, and offered the Duke of Portland, 
provided he would give a piece of ground on some 
part of his estate, to erect a Gallery, and to leave 
£10,000. for the purpose of assisting in the erec¬ 
tion, and endowing a keeper; but, through some 
unaccountable neglect, no answer was returned to 
the application until it was too late; Sir Francis 
having determined to bequeath them to Dulwich 
College, where a new wing was erected for their 
reception. Thus was lost an establishment, which 
would have proved an object of general attraction 
to the amateur, the student, and the connoisseur. 

MARY-LE-BONE PARK.* 

It has been mentioned, that, when the Manor of 
Marybone was granted to Edward Forset, King 
James reserved Marybone Park in his own hands. 
It continued in the Crown till the year 1646, when 
King Charles, by letters patent, dated at Oxford 
(May 6), granted it to Sir George Strode and 
John Wanderford, Esq. as security for a debt of 
2318£ 11s. 9 d. due to them for supplying arms 
and ammunition during the troubles. After the 

* In Queen Elizabeth’s Progresses, it is recorded, that, on the 
3d of February, 1600, the Ambassadors from the Emperor of 
Russia, and their retinue, rode through the City of London to 
Marybone Park , and there hunted at their pleasure, and shortly 
after returned homeward. 

“ Sir Charles Blount, afterwards Earl of Devonshire, a very 
comely young man, having distinguished himself at a tilt, Her 
Majesty (Q. Elizabeth), sent him a chess Queen of gold ena¬ 
melled, which hetied upon his arm with a crimson ribband. Essex 
perceiving it, said with affected scorn, ‘ Now I perceive, every 
fool must have a favour! 1 On this. Sir Charles challenged, fought 
him in Marybone Park, disarmed him, and wounded him iu the 
thigh .”—Royal and Noble Authors , vol. i. p. 131. 


MARY-LE-BONE PARK. 


243 


King’s death, when the Crown lands in general 
were sold by the usurpers, this park, without any 
regard to the claim of the grantees above-mentioned, 
was sold to John Spencer of London, Gentleman, 
on behalf of Colonel Thomas Harrison’s Regiment 
of Dragoons, on whom Marybone Park was settled 
for their pay ; Sir John Ipsley was at this time 
ranger, by authority of the Protector. The pur- 
chase-money was 13,215/. 65 . Scl, including 130/. 
for the deer (124 in number, of several sorts), 
and 1774/. 85 . for the timber, exclusive of 2976 
trees marked for the Navy. On the Restoration 
of Charles the Second, Sir George Strode and 
Mr. Wan deford were reinstated in their possession 
of the Park, which they held till their debt was 
discharged, except the great lodge and 60 acres of 
land, which had been granted for a term of years 
to Sir William Clarke, Secretary to the Lord 
General the Duke of Albemarle. A compensation 
was made also to John Carey, Esq. for the loss 
of the Rangership, which he had held before the 
usurpation. The site of the Park (for it was dis- 
parked before the Restoration, and never afterwards 
stocked) Was leased in 1668 to Henry, Earl of 
Arlington;—in 1696 to Charles Bertie and others, 
in trust for the Duke of Leeds;—in 1724 to Samuel 
Grey, Esq. whose interest in the lease was pur¬ 
chased by Thomas Gibson, John Jacob, and Robert 
Jacomb, Esqs. who renewed in 1730, 1735, and 
1742. In 1754, a lease was granted to Lucy 
Jacomb, widow, and Peter Hinde, Esq. In 1765, 
William Jacomb, Esq. had a fresh lease for an 
undivided share, being 15 parts in 24. The term 
of this share was prolonged in 1772, and again in 
1780 for eight years, to commence from January 
24, 1803. In the year 1789, Mr. Jacomb sold his 
interest in the estate to the Duke of Portland, in 
whom the said share was vested until the expiration 
of the lease in Jan. 1811. In 1765, and 1772, 


244 


MARY-LE-BONE PARK. 


Jacob Hinde, Esq. had new leases of the remaining 
undivided share, being nine parts in 24. This was 
never renewed, and expired in 1803.* 

Summary of a Plan of the Estate called Mary-le-Bone 
Park Farm, in the Parishes of St. Mary-le-Bone and 
St. Pancras, in the County of Middlesex, belonging to 
the Crown ; taken by Order of the Right Honourable 
the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty’s Treasury, 
and under the direction of John Fordyce, Esq. His 
Majesty’s Surveyor-General, by G. Richardson, 1794. 

Names of Tenants , Fields , fyc. 

Farm in possession of Mr. Thomas Willan and his 
Under Tenants. 


1. Farm-house, Barn, Stables, Cow- 

A. 

R. 

p. 

houses, Yards, Garden, &c. 

2 

0 

36 

2. Small Tenements, Sheds, Yards, and 




Gardens, let to divers Tenants, 

1 

0 

8 

3. Ditto, - - 

0 

2 

25 

4. The Six Closes, 

72 

1 

37 

5. Butchers’ Field, 

27 

1 

28 

6. The Long Mead, 

24 

3 

36 

7. Long Forty Acres, 

34 

0 

11 

8. Short Forty Acres, - 

14 

2 

17 

9. Harris’s Field, - - 

34 

1 

32 

10. Hill Field, - * 

18 

2 

14 

11. Gravel Pit Field, 

20 

2 

32 

12. Part of Home Seven Acres, 

6 

3 

32 

13. Remainder of Ditto, 

2 

0 

25 

14. Bell Field, 

9 

2 

32 

15. Pightle, let to Thomas Hammond, 

1 

1 

17 

16. Copal Varnish Manufactory and Gar¬ 




den, let to Mr. Alexander Wall, 

0 

1 

3 

17. Cottages, Sheds, Yards and Gardens, 




let to divers Tenants, - - 

2 

0 

8 

18. The Five Acres, 

4 

0 

18 

19. Paddock let to Thomas Hammond, 

1 

1 

18 

20. White House Field, 

9 

0 

6 

Total. 

288 

0 

35 


hysons’ Environs. 





MARY-LE-BONE PARK. 245 

Farm in possession of Mr. Richard Kendall , and his 


Under Tenants. 

A. 

R. 

p. 

21. Part of Saltpetre Field, 

12 

3 

23 

22. Ditto let to John White, Esq. 

1 

1 

12 

23. a. Ditto. Ditto, 

0 

3 

16 

23. b. Late part of the Five Acres, Ditto - 

1 

1 

24 

24. Garden let to George Stewart, Esq. - 

0 

2 

12 

25. House, Garden, and Shed, Do. 

0 

1 

20 

26. Dupper Field, 

9 

1 

18 

27. Garden let to Sir Richard Hill, Bart. - 

28. Farm-house, Cow-houses, Yards, and 

0 

1 

7 

Cow-lair, - - 

1 

2 

19 

29. Cow-houses, Sheds, &c. 

0 

1 

11 

30. Tenements, Yards, Gardens, &c. 

2 

3 

24 

31. White House Field, 

8 

0 

32 

32. Bell Field, 

15 

1 

35 

33. White Hall Field, 

20 

3 

36 

34. Rugg Moor and Lodge Field, in one, - 

57 

0 12 

Total. 

133 

2 

21 

Farm in the occupation of Mr. Richard Mortimer and 
his Under Tenants. 

35. The Nether Paddock, 

16 

1 

16 

36. Pound Field, - - 

22 

1 

30 

37. The Thirty Acres, 

34 

0 

12 

38. The Twenty Nine Acres, 

39. Home Field, Farm-House, Cow-House, 

34 

1 

21 

&c. - 

40. Six Cottages and Gardens, with small 

10 

1 

9 

Sheds, let to Mr. Richard Holdbrook, 

0 

1 

2 

Total. 117 

3 

10 


Abstract. 

A. R. P. 

41. Mr. White’s Garden, 0 2 26 

42. Small triangular piece 

on the south side of 
the road, 


0 0 16 


A. R. P. 

0 3 2 









248 


MARY-LE-BONE PARK, 


A. R. P. 

Brought forward 0 3 2 

43. Part of the Turnpike- 
road belonging to 

this Estate, - - 0 131 


Other part of Ditto, - 

2 0 38 2 

2 

29 

(Both rented by the 

3 

1 

31 

Trustees of the road.) 
Farm rented by Mr. 
Willan, 

- 288 

0 35 

Ditto by Mr. Kendall, 

- 133 

2 

21 

Ditto by Mr. Mortimer, 

- - 117 

3 

10 

Total. 543 

0 

17 


This Estate is bounded on the south by that of the 
Duke of Portland ; on the West by those of E. B. Port- 
man, Esq. and Col. Eyre ; on the north, by the Barrow- 
hill farm, and a small portion of College land ; and the 
estate of Lord Southampton, extending along the whole 
of the east side. 

The Truschessian Gallery, 

was exhibited in 1804, in a temporary building 
erected* in a field on the site of Park Square: the 
interior of this building was fitted up with great 
taste and elegance, and attracted the attention of all 
lovers of the Fine Arts, throughout the Kingdom. 
The pictures were subsequently sold by auction, 
and many of them are now to be found in the 
various splendid Collections of the Nobility. 

This Collection was the property of Joseph 
Count Truschess of Zeyl Wurzach, Grand Dean 
of the Cathedral of Strasbourg, and Canon of the 
Metropolitan Chapter of Cologne; who was origi¬ 
nally possessed of very considerable property on 
the left bank of the Rhine, which he lost by means 
of the French Revolution, and which induced him 
thus to dispose of his splendid gallery of pictures, 
which he had been more than thirty years collecting 
at an immense expense, and with more than common 







MARY-LE-BONE PARK. 


247 


judgment. And from the testimony of the Vienna 
Academicians it was considered one of the most 
complete galleries of Painting in Europe, consisting 
of such a number of pictures by the most capital 
artists of every country. A subscription was en¬ 
tered into to defray the expense of bringing them 
to this country, and a general feeling was enter¬ 
tained that they would be purchased by Govern¬ 
ment, and formed into a National Gallery; but 
after they had been exhibited some time, a portion 
of the pictures were discovered to be copies of the 
Ancient Masters, and the whole exhibition was 
consequently brought to the hammer. 


In 1793, the late Mr. White, architect to the 
Duke of Portland, exhibited to Mr. Fordyce, the 
Surveyor-General, a plan for the Improvement of 
Mary-le-bone Park, which attracted liis attention, 
and which he noticed in his Report to the Lords 
of the Treasury ; who directed him to take the 
necessary steps accordingly, and to offer a reward 
not exceeding 1000/. to the successful author of a 
plan for the improvement of the whole estate. A 
copy of the Treasury Minute, dated July 2, 1793, 
was communicated to Mr. White, with six engraved 
plans of the estate, which induced him to dedicate 
much attention to the improvement thereof; and 
he made several plans, which are noticed in the 
First Report of the Commissioners of Woods, 
Forests, and Land Revenues. 

After the death of Mr. Fordyce, the Office of 
Surveyor-General of the Land Revenue, was amal¬ 
gamated with the Commission for the management 
of His Majesty’s Woods and Forests; and Messrs. 
Leverton and Chawner, architects and surveyors 
of buildings of the Land Revenue; and Mr. Nash, 
Architect and Surveyor of the Woods and Forests; 
were required to deliver in plans for the arrange- 



248 regent’s park. 

ment of the Mary-le-bone Park Estate; the result 
of their labours, was the delivery of several plans 
by Messrs. Leverton and Chawner, and of several 
others by Mr. Nash. 

Mr. Fordyce, in April 1809, had laid before the 
Commissioners of the Treasury, a memorandum 
respecting the extension of the town over Mary- 
le-bone Park, leading the attention of architects 
to the proper consideration of the sewer, supplies 
of water, markets, police, churches, and a public 
ride or drive. He had, antecedent to this period, 
in May, 1796, particularly brought into notice the 
forming a direct and commodious communication 
to Mary-le-bone from Westminster, by Tichborne 
Street, &c. and recommended its execution. 

The Commissioners directed Mr. Nash to con¬ 
sider the subject of this communication, and he 
produced a plan, which was submitted to Parlia¬ 
ment, and an Act obtained for carrying it into 
execution. 

His Royal Highness the Prince Regent having- 
manifested his anxiety for the embellishment and 
comfort of the metropolis, by encouraging the 
improvement of this estate, it was named the Re¬ 
gent's Park , and will be a lasting monument of his 
taste and liberality. 

Regent’s Park. 

Park Square. —On this spot it was originally 
intended to have completed the crescent opposite 
into a circus, which would have been the largest 
circle of buildings in Europe. The foundations 
of the western quadrant of it were even laid, and 
the arches for the coal cellars turned. For some 
reasons, however, this plan was abandoned, and 
the entire chord of the semi-circle left open to the 
park, instead of being closed in by the intended 
half circus. This alteration is a manifest improve¬ 
ment of the entire design, and is productive of 


regent’s park. 249 

great benefit to the houses in the crescent and in 
Portland Place. Park Square is erected in its 
stead, and consists of two rows of houses, elongated 
upon the extremities of the crescent, and separated 
from the New Road, from the Park, and from each 
other, by a spacious quadrangular area, laid out 
with planted pleasure grounds and enclosed by 
handsome ornamental iron railings, communicating 
by a tunnel under the New Road into the semi¬ 
circular garden of Park Crescent. 

Ulster Terrace. —This Terrace adjoins the 
west corner of the Square, and derives its name 
from the Earldom of Ulster, one of the titles of 
the late Duke of York; it consists of eight houses 
three stories high, having their basement stories 
adorned with Ionic columns; the attics have a neat 
balustrade. Handsome Doric columns adorn the 
outer divisions of the terrace. 

York Terrace. —Named in honour of his late 
Royal Highness the Duke of York, extends to 
both sides of the entrance to the park, and consists 
of 61 handsome mansions, built from the designs 
of Mr. Nash; whose principal entrances are in the 
rear, where large porches protect the vestibules, 
an arrangement of great convenience to company 
alighting from their carriages in wet weather. 
Passing westward, this splendid row of princely 
mansions, has the appearance of one single building, 
rather than a row of private dwellings; all the doors 
and windows are uniform, opening on a lawn, ex- 
tending along the whole front of the terrace. This 
appearance is kept up by the arrangement of the 
trees and shrubs, there being no divisions, but laid 
out in the style of grounds belonging to a palace. 
The elevation of this principal front is in the 
Graeco-Italian style of architecture, and consists 
of a ground story, with semi-circular headed win- 


250 


regent’s park. 


(lows, and rusticated piers: a continued pedestal 
above the windows, divided between the columns 
into balustrades, forms balconies in front of the 
windows of the drawing-room story. Lofty well- 
proportioned windows, giving light to the splendid 
drawing-rooms, are perforated immediately on the 
cornice of the pedestal, and in conformity with the 
simplicity of the Order, are left without decoration. 
A similar range of windows, of the same width, 
but less in height, are constructed for the third 
story. These two stories form the principal archi¬ 
tectural feature of the terrace, and are decorated 
with a colonnade of the Ilyssus-Ionic Order. Above 
the third story is a blocking course, over which are 
the attics; the windows correspond with those of 
the basement story. 

York Gate. —In entering the Park by this 
Gate, the pedestrian will be gratified by proceeding 
to view the Lake from the bridge which is imme¬ 
diately opposite to it. This sheet of water is a 
beautiful addition to the landscape, being adorned 
with rare and beautiful water-fowl, aquatic plants, 
and other appropriate embellishment. In returning 
from this Bridge, the beautiful faqade of Mary-le- 
bone Church is seen to great advantage, the two 
rows of splendid mansions, forming an architectural 
avenue to the park, and a picturesque border to 
the view of that sacred edifice. 

Cornwall Terrace. —This Terrace inclines 
to the north, and is one of the first erected in the 
Park, and named after His late Majesty’s ducal 
title when Regent. The architecture is Corinthian, 
from the designs of Mr. Decimus Burton. The 
houses are not on so large a scale as those in York 
Terrace, but are remarkable for regular beauty. 
The elevation consists of a rusticated ground story, 
which forms the basement. This rusticated story 


251 


regent’s park. 

projects beyond the face of the upper, which con¬ 
sists of Corinthian Columns, with fluted shafts, 
well-proportioned capitals, and an equally appro¬ 
priate entablature. The windows, dressings, em¬ 
bellishments, &c. of this elegant terrace, consisting 
of 21 houses, are in excellent taste, and have a 
singularly beautiful effect. 

Clarence Gate. —Forntirig the entrance to the 
Park from North Baker Street, is at the end of 
Cornwall Terrace; and on this spot a statue of 
Earl Grey is proposed to be erected, in commemo¬ 
ration of the passing of the Reform Bill, a subscrip¬ 
tion having been opened for that purpose, and His 
Majesty haying graciously signified his consent. 

Clarence Terrace.— Thisterrace is the smallest 
in the Park, comprising only 12 houses, and derives 
its name from his present Majesty, when Duke of 
Clarence, and Lord High Admiral of England; it 
was built from the designs of Mr. Decimus Burton* 
and consists of a centre and two projecting wings, 
of the Corinthian Order, connected by two colon¬ 
nades of the Ilyssus-Ionic Order. The elevation 
is divided into three stories, viz. a rusticated base¬ 
ment story, supporting a drawing-room and chambef 
story, also surmounted by an elegant entablature 
and open balustrade; fluted Corinthian pilasters, 
with proportionate capitals, adorn the wings of this 
pleasing specimen of architectural elegance. One 
of the most pleasing views in the Park is seen from 
the windows of this Terrace, the beautiful expanse 
of lake, and the two beautiful villas, the Holme, 
and South Villa, surrounded by a luxuriant exube¬ 
rance of shrubs, trees, and flowers, form prominent 
features in the landscape. The next range of 
building northward, is 

Sussex Place. Built from the designs of Mr. 


252 


regent’s park. 


Nash, and named after His Royal Highness the 
Duke of Sussex. Sussex Place, comprising twenty- 
four houses, is arranged in the form of a half 
moon, the garden in front being tastefully laid out: 
the principal entrances are by a coach drive in the 
rear. The elevation has a novel appearance, and 
presents a singular contrast to the more chaste 
beauties of the other terraces, and places, by which 
the Park is surrounded; it is presumed that this 
novel style of architecture, was purposely intro¬ 
duced for the sake of picturesque variety. It com¬ 
prises a centre, and extensive wings, the summit 
crowned with cupolas and minarets. The principal 
story has a balcony, from which arise columns of 
the Corinthian Order, supporting a pedestal to the 
chamber story, above which is an open balustrade. 
Nearly opposite the end of Sussex Place, is an en¬ 
trance by a gate to the Promenade of the enclosure, 
which, however, is at present only available to the 
inhabitants of the adjoining terraces, or annual 
subscribers of two guineas, who are allowed keys. 
But it is confidently anticipated that, in the next 
year, this promenade will be thrown open to the 
public generally, under similar restrictions to those 
of Kensington Gardens, and the enclosure in St. 
James’s Park. 

Hanover Terrace. Named after His Ma¬ 
jesty’s dominions on the continent, succeeds Sussex 
Place; and is the last range of building on this side 
the Park, and is also from the designs of Mr. Nash. 
This terrace is built in the Italian, or Palladian 
style of architecture, with a beautiful shrubbery in 
front, separated from the terrace by a fine level 
carriage drive; the stories of the mansions are lofty, 
and elegantly finished : and the domestic arrange¬ 
ments of the apartments, conveniently and taste¬ 
fully laid out. The front elevation comprises a 
centre and two wings, buildings of the Doric Order, 


regent’s park. 253 

the acroteria of which are surmounted by statues, 
and other sepulchral ornaments, in terra cotta. The 
centre building is crowned by a pediment, the tym¬ 
panum of which is embellished with statues and 
figures in high relief, representing Medicine, Sculp¬ 
ture, Architecture, Poetry, and other Arts and 
Sciences. The windows throughout are embel¬ 
lished with neat and appropriate decorations, and 
the attic story is surrounded by an open parapet. 
The islet on the lake which faces the northernmost 
wing of this terrace, sweetly diversifies the scene, 
and adds to the beauty of the prospect from the 
houses. At the extremity of Hanover Terrace, 
there is a road leading out of the Park, by Hanover 
Gate, into St.John’s Wood road. The Lodge at 
this gate is a neat and handsome quadrangular 
building, ornamented with statues and scrolls. Situ¬ 
ate between Hanover Terrace, and Gate, is 

Albany Cottage, 

the picturesque residence of Thomas Raikes, Esq* 
an exquisite specimen of the English Cottage 
• ornee, the plantations surrounding the house being 
laid out with singularly happy effect. The next 
object to attract the attention is 

Hanover Lodge, 

the tasteful dwelling of the gallant Earl of Dun- 
donald. This pleasing mansion has greater preten¬ 
sions to architectural character than the preceding. 
It is situated on an eminence to the left, and forms 
a handsome square villa residence, having only one 
story above the basement. The house is entered 
under a noble portico, opening into a spacious hall, 
the cieling of which is supported by marble columns, 
and its floor decorated with a beautiful tessellated 
pavement. A commodious dining room, 19 feet 
6 inches in length, by 16 feet in width, adjoins the 


254 regent’s park. 

hall on ono side, and on another is a splendid suite 
of drawing rooms, extending above sixty feet in 
length, by 18 feet in breadth. The upper story, 
which is attained by means of a stone staircase, 
comprises nine bed chambers, a bathing-room with 
every accommodation for that luxury, and conve¬ 
nient dressing-rooms. The lodges and out-offices 
are upon a very extensive scale. A dense planta¬ 
tion screens the villa from the view on the north 
and west sides, at the back of which the Regent’s 
Canal enters the Park, and after skirting it to the 
north, terminates in a basin on the east side. Be¬ 
tween the Canal and St.John’s Wood road, to the 
left of the drive, is another elegant villa called 

Grove House, 

the residence of George Bellas Greenough, Esq. 
built from the designs of Mr. Decimus Burton. 
This house possesses two fronts. The garden front 
is divided into three portions, a centre and two 
wings. The wings have reOesses, supported by 
three-quarter columns of the Doric Order. Be¬ 
tween these columns are well-proportioned niches* 
each of which contains a statue. The centre is 
composed of a noble portico of four columns, of the 
Ionic Order, raised on a terrace. Three windows 
fill the apertures between these columns, and a long 
panel over them, gives an apparent height to the 
apartment thus ornamented. No other window or 
door appears on this front, which has a remarkable 
and pleasing effect. The portico, which is com¬ 
posed of one of the purest Grecian Orders, is sur¬ 
mounted by a pediment and acroteria; and the 
cornice by a blocking course. The entrance front 
has also a centre and two wings. The centre is in¬ 
ferior to the garden front, having no pediment, and 
being finished with a simple blocking course over 
the level Ionic cornice. The entrance door is pro¬ 
tected by a semi-circular portico of the Doric 
Order. 


regent’s park. 


255 


The Marquis of Hertford’s Villa. 

On the right hand side of the drive, and nearly 
facing Hanover Lodge, stands the beautiful Italian 
villa, which is the suburban retreat of the Marquis 
of Hertford; and was designed by Mr. Decimus 
Burton. Its buildings and offices are on a larger 
scale than any other in the Park, and are accordant 
in style with the wealth of the noble owner. Sim¬ 
plicity and chastity of style, characterize the exte¬ 
rior, and its interior is in the same style of beauty. 
The entrance-hall, in the principal front, is adorn¬ 
ed with a portico of six columns, of that singular 
Athenian Order, which embellishes the vestibule 
of the Temple of the Winds at Athens. The roof 
is Venetian, with broad projecting eaves, supported 
by cantalivres, and concealed gutters to prevent 
the dropping of the rain water from the eaves. On 
each side of the portico, on the ground floor, are 
three handsome windows, and a series of dormers 
range along the upper story. Contiguous to the 
west end of the mansion is a large tent-like canopy 
with a spiral finish of copper, of considerable 
height. This canopy forms the roof of a spacious 
room fitted up in the most splendid style, and 
used for the entertainment of visitors to the Noble 
Marquis’s public breakfasts. The offices are abun¬ 
dantly spacious, being spread out, like the villas of 
the ancients, upon the ground floor, and are de¬ 
signed in the same style of architecture as the 
mansion. In a recess near the entrance, are the 
two gigantic wooden figures, with their bells, which 
formerly stood on the south side of St. Dunstan’s 
church, Fleet-street, where they had stood from 
the year 1671. They were purchased by the Mar¬ 
quis for £200. 

The drive now takes an easterly direction, and, 
at the termination of the shrubbery, surrounding 
the Marquis’s villa, a beautiful opening to the 


256 


regent’s park. 

south presents a rich clioramic view. From this 
spot may be seen the terraces on the east side of 
the Park, St. Catharine’s Hospital, and the Master’s 
House ; pursuing the line of the drive, the Collos- 
seum, Diorama, and the various modern churches, 
successively meet the eye. The spire of All Souls’ 
church, is here distinctly visible. 

Macclesfield Bbidge 

is the next object worthy of attention. The construc¬ 
tion of this bridge, designed by Mr. Morgan, is 
very picturesque, appropriate, and architectural. 
Its piers are composed of a series of cast iron 
columns of the Grecian Order; from the summits 
of which spring the lofty arches, three in number, 
which support a flat road way, and, expanding over 
the towing path, the canal itself, and the shrub¬ 
beries on its southern bank. The canal winds under 
this bridge in a deep dell; the grounds of the Park 
descend to a precipitous bank, which protects them 
from the incursions of the bargemen and other per¬ 
sons whose occupations lead them to frequent the 
canal and the towing path. An iron plate on each 
side of the balustrade exhibits the Macclesfield 
Arms. The bridge, on the whole, has a light and 
beautiful appearance. The gate, at the northern 
end of the bridge, which, with others, is closed at 
ten o’clock every night, to all but those who are 
going to the houses within the Park, is in three 
divisions, a carriage way, and two posterns for foot 
passengers, divided by stone piers, and a plain lodge 
on the western side for the attendant porter. In a 
direct line with this bridge is a branch of the New 
North Road which leads to Barnet, winding round 
the foot of Hampstead Hills, which are 150 feet 
higher than any part of this road. The road to the 
right, leads to Barrow and Primrose Hills, on the 
former of which an extensive reservoir has been 
formed by the West Middlesex Water Works 
Company. 


PRIMROSE HILL. 


257 


Primrose Hill. 

This spot of ground, which for so many years 
formed the termination to the rural walks of the 
inhabitants of London, was formerly famous for 
Primroses, whence it derives its name. The place 
is notorious in history for the murder of Sir Ed- 
mondbury Godfrey, or rather, perhaps, for his body 
having been found there in Oct. 1678, after he 
had been murdered elsewhere. The Coroner’s 
Jury, after an adjourned Inquest, returned the 
following verdict: u That he was murdered by cer¬ 
tain persons unknown to the Jurors, and that his 
death proceeded from suffocation and strangling; 
and that his sword had been thrust through his 
body some time after his death, and when he was 
quite cold; because not the least sign of blood 
was seen upon his shirt, or his clothes, or the place 
where he was found.” The odium of this murder 
was thrown entirely upon the Papists. 

As Charles II. did not find it compatible with 
his gallantries that his spouse Catherine should 
be resident at Whitehall, she resided during some 
part of his reign, at Somerset House. This made 
it the haunt of the Catholics; and, possibly, during 
the phrenetic rage of the nation at that period 
against the professors of her religion,-occasioned 
it to have been made the pretended scene of the 
murder of this gentleman. Three persons, viz. 
Robert Green, Cushion-Man to the Queen’s 
Chapel; Laurence Hill, Servant to Dr. Godden, 
Treasurer of the Chapel; and Henry Berry, Porter 
to Somerset House, were tried for this Murder at 
the King’s Bench Bar, before the Lord Chief 
Justice Scroggs, on the 10th of Feb. 1679; the 
infamous witnesses Oates, Prance, and Bedloe, 
declared “ that he was waylaid, and inveigled into 
the Palace, under the pretence of keeping the 
peace between two servants who were fighting in 


258 PRIMROSE TIILL. 

the yard; that he was there strangled, his neck 
broke, and his own sword run through his body; 
that he was kept four days before they ventured 
to remove him; at length, his corpse was first 
carried in a sedan-chair to Soho, and then on a 
horse to Primrose Hill.” The Jury found them all 
guilty of the murder, and the Lord Chief Justice, 
said, 44 They had found the same verdict that he 
would have found if he had been one of them.” 

The abandoned characters of the witnesses, how¬ 
ever, together with the absurd and irrcconcileable 
testimony they gave on the trial, has made unpre¬ 
judiced times to doubt the whole. But the inno¬ 
cence of these poor men could not avail, the tor¬ 
rent of prejudice prevailing against them ; and 
Green and Hill were executed on the 21st of 
February, declaring their innocence to the last; as 
did likewise Berry, who was executed on the 28th 
of May, having been reprieved till that time. 

Sir Edmondbury’s corpse being embalmed, was 
kept till October 31, when it was carried from 
Bridewell Hospital, of which he was one of the 
Governors, to the Church of St. Martin in the 
Fields, where he was buried. The pall was sup¬ 
ported by eight Knights, all Justices of the Peace; 
all the Aldermen of the City of London attended 
the Funeral. Seventy-two Ministers marched two 
and two before the body, and great multitudes 
followed after in the same order. A Sermon was 
preached on the occasion, by Dr. William Lloyd, 
Vicar of St. Martin’s, from 2 Sam. c. iii. v. 24. 

Primrose Hill and its neighbourhood has also 
been the scene of several sanguinary duels, one of 
which took place on April 6, 1803, between Lieut. 
Col. Montgomery, and Captain Macnamara, in 
consequence of a quarrel between them in Hyde 
Park, when a Meeting was appointed for 7 o’clock 
the same evening, near Primrose Hill; the con¬ 
sequence of which proved fatal. Captain M.’s ball 


PRIMROSE IIILL. 


259 

entered the right side of Colonel M.’s chest, and 
passed through the heart; he instantly fell without 
uttering a word, but rolled over two or three times, 
as if in great agony, and groaned; being carried 
into Chalk Farm, he expired in about five minutes. 
Colonel Montgomery’s ball went through Captain 
Macnamara, entering on the right side, just above 
the hip, and passing through the left side, carrying 
part of the coat and waistcoat in with it, and taking 
part of his leather breeches and the hip button 
away with it on the other side. A Coroner’s 
Inquest returned a verdict of Manslaughter against 
Captain Macnamara, who was tried at the Old 
Bailey on the 22d of April, when he received an 
excellent character from Lords Hood, Nelson, 
Hotham and Minto, and a great number of highly 
respectable gentlemen, and the jury pronounced a 
verdict of Not Guilty. 

The splendid architectural view from the summit 
of Primrose Hill, is of a most imposing character, 
the beautiful landscape and water, the splendid' 
palatial terraces, which surround the Park, the 
gothic spires of St. Catharine’s Chapel, and the 
capacious dome of the Colosseum, to use the lan¬ 
guage of a late celebrated writer, “ delight our 
eyes, and appeal forcibly to our understandings; 
compelling us to exclaim, that London ought not 
to be inferior to Rome in any of these marks of 
her greatness. Greater far is our metropolis than 
that boasted city, both in the virtue and the opulence 
of its inhabitants; in virtue more transcendent, 
from a sublimer religion, and in opulence more 
pre-eminent, because its riches are derived from 
industry and commerce, and not from the plunder 
of the world.” 

The road to the left of Macclesfield Gate, leads 
to St. John’s Wood Chapel and Cemetery ; the 
north side being bounded by a row of pleasant 
houses, called Portland Terrace, which, from the 


260 regent’s park. 

salubrity of their situation, are exceedingly eligible 
for the residence of Invalids. 

On the west side of St. John’s Wood Chapel is 
Wellington Road, leading to the New North Road 
to Barnet, made by Act of Parliament in 1826; 
this road proves of great convenience to the inha¬ 
bitants of the western part of the metropolis ; tra¬ 
vellers by this road, avoid both Hampstead and 
Highgate hills, and only one toll is exacted on the 
whole line of road, extending a distance of nine 
miles and a half. 

At the commencement of the New North Road, 
is situated the Eyre Anns Tavern , and Assembly 
Rooms; this splendid edifice was erected by Mr. 
White, and is capable of accommodating more than 
1500 persons, the grounds attached to the house 
are upon a very extensive scale, and laid out with 
great taste and ability. 

A short distance from the Eyre Arms, and on the 
east side of the road, are situated the Artillery 
Barracks, and capacious Riding School; being at 
present the last pile of buildings at this northern 
extremity of the parish : the land, however, on 
both sides of the road, which is on the Eyre estate, 
is now advertised to be let on building leases, for 
the erection of detached villa residences. 

To return to the Park. A short distance from Mac¬ 
clesfield Bridge are situated the Gardens of that 
useful and praise-worthy Institution, the Zoological 
Society. This Society was founded in 1826, by 
Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Sir Humphry Davy, 
Lord Auckland, and other noblemen and gentle¬ 
men, patrons of science. A grant of land having 
been obtained from the Government, the gardens 
were formed and opened to the Public in 1828. 
The rustic entrance to the gardens is on the right 
hand side of the road. The original grant of land 
being found inadequate to contain the various 
specimens of zoology with which the Society had 


regent’s park. 261 

been presented, an additional piece of ground was 
granted for the purpose, on the north side of the 
road, which communicates with the establishment 
on the south side, by means of a tunnel under the 
road. These gardens have acquired great celebrity, 
and are the favourite resort of the Nobility and the 
fashionable world; and present an ample field for 
the study of Natural History and Botany. 

The boundary line of St. Mary-le-bone Parish 
passes through the Zoological Gardens, crossing 
the road opposite the head keeper’s apartments; 
the whole of the east side of the park being in the 
parish of St. Pancras. The prominent features of 
this side of the park are 

Gloucester Gate, of the Doric order, flanked by 
two well-proportioned stone lodges. 

Gloucester Lodge , a handsome villa of the Ionic 
Order, in the occupation of the Rt. Hon. Sir B. 
Martinez Taylor, C. B. 

Gloucester Terrace , consisting of eight houses 
three stories high, ornamented with Ionic columns. 

The collegiate Church of St. Catharine , Hos¬ 
pital, and Master’s House. This small ecclesias¬ 
tical establishment, whose proper title is, “ The 
peculiar and exempt Jurisdiction of the Collegiate 
Church or Free Chapel of St. Catharine, the Vir¬ 
gin and Martyrwas founded by the bold and 
ambitious Matilda, Queen consort of King Stephen, 
in the year 1148, and dedicated to St. Catharine. 
It was dissolved in 1272, and the present hospital 
founded in the following year by Q. Eleanor, and 
dedicated to the same saint; and continued unal¬ 
tered till its removal in 1826 to its present site, on 
the formation of St. Catharine’s Docks. 

The building is a pure specimen of gothic archi¬ 
tecture, and forms a quadrangle, the church being- 
situated on the east side. The pulpit, stalls, organ, 
&c. were brought from the old church. The pulpit 
was the gift of Sir Julius Caesar, in the reign of 


262 


regent’s park. 


James I. and has six sides, on which are carved 
four views of the ancient hospital, with the outer 
and inner gate, and round the whole is this inscrip¬ 
tion :— Ezra the scribe—stood upon a — pidpit of 
wood—which he had—made for the preachen .”— 
Neheh. viii. 4. 

On each side of the quadrangle are three houses 
in the style of domestic architecture of the six¬ 
teenth century. 

The Master's House % is situated on the opposite 
side of the road, and presents the same style of 
architecture, but displays more embellishment. 
The following pleasing description of this house, 
is taken from that valuable and ingenious work, 
Elmes's Metropolitan Improvements , 1830. “ Now 
for the Master’s mansion. Truly were it finished, 
and some of the tawny tints of time deposited upon 
its surface, we might really take it for the habita¬ 
tion of the Prior to some mitred abbey. Its sepa¬ 
rated angle chimney flues, their ornamented tops, 
the fastigated gables, and narrow cell-like windows 
in the attics, the mullioned windows of the upper 
story, the bow and bay windows and porches to the 
doors of the principal story, give the whole a con¬ 
ventual or collegiate appearance. The handsome 
well laid out pleasure grounds, the store of kitchen 
gardens, and the stable offices, reminding one of 
the tithe barn, keep up the illusion ; and nothing- 
hut a Father Paul or two at the windows, rubifying 
the scene like the coloured bottles in a chemist’s 
window, and a living skeleton or two in the shape 
of lay brothers, labouring in the gardens, are want¬ 
ing to complete the picture.” 

Passing Cumberland Terrace , which consists of 
thirty-three richly decorated houses, we arrive suc¬ 
cessively at Chester Place , Chester Terrace , Cam¬ 
bridge Terrace , and 

The Colosseum. This building is a polygon of 

* The present Master is General Sir Herbert Taylor, G. C. B. 


regent’s park. 263 

sixteen faces, each 25 feet in length, making the 
circuit of the building 400 feet. It was commenced 
in 1824, and completed in 1827, under the super* 
intendence of Mr. Decimus Burton. The portico 
of this building is one of the finest and best propor¬ 
tioned in the metropolis, and gives a majestic fea¬ 
ture to this part of the park, that cannot be sur¬ 
passed. This building was originally erected to 
exhibit Mr. Horner’s panoramic view of London, 
as seen from St. Paul’s; but several curious exhi¬ 
bitions of art have since been added, among which 
may be mentioned, a Swiss cottage, conservatories, 
a Marine Cave and Grotto, Waterfalls, &c. The 
original price of admission was 5s. each person ; 
but the proprietors have recently divided the exhi¬ 
bition into two parts, and liberally reduced the 
price to Is. for admission to the Panorama; and Is. 
for admission to the Swiss Cottage, &c. 

Leaving the Colosseum, we re-enter the parish 
of St. Mary-le-bone at St. Andrew's Place , and 
arrive at the east side of Parle Square , which com¬ 
pletes the tour of the outer circle of the Regent’s 
Park. About the centre of the east side of the 
Square, is 

The Diorama , an exhibition of paintings, which 
are changed from time to time ; introduced into 
London from Paris, by Messrs. Bouton and Da¬ 
guerre, in 1823. The body of the picture is painted 
on what is technically termed a flat, and the per¬ 
pendicular subject is aided by wings, by painting 
on the floor, by raised bodies, and by other optical 
and pictorial effects, till the delusion is perfect and 
almost incredible. Two pictures are always exhi¬ 
bited ; one representing architectural, and the other 
landscape scenery. 

• The inner circle of the park is adorned with the 
following villas : South Villa^ a handsome structure 
of the Doric order, the residence of James Holford, 
Esq. The Holme , consisting of two stories, exclu- 


264 


regent’s park. 


sive of the domestic offices, which are contained in 
a basement. The garden front is very handsome, 
and a well-proportioned cupola covers the roof. 
On the opposite side of the road, is a very pictu¬ 
resque Thatched Cottage , in the occupation of Mr. 
Jenkins, whose nursery comprises the whole of the 
land within the enclosure. St. Johns Wood Lodge , 
is a handsome mansion built in the Grecian style 
of architecture, for C. A. Tulk, Esq. from the de¬ 
signs of Mr. Raffield. The centre is ornamented 
by two piers which support a pediment with acro- 
teria, and include between them two Corinthian 
pilasters, and between these is a large and lofty 
Palladian window ; below this window r is a spacious 
porch of two piers, each supporting a lion: the 
centre is marked by two columns, and an entabla¬ 
ture of the Doric order. The wings project a little 
from the centre, and are likewise embellished by 
two large piers with neat panels, and Grecian 
honeysuckles in the caps. This house is now the 
occasional residence of the Marquis of Wellesley. 


The Volunteers. 

Whilst the French Revolution was in progress, 
the inhabitants of St. Mary-leJbone formed them¬ 
selves into a military Association for the defence of 
the country, under the command of Colonel Phipps, 
who was appointed by his Majesty’s commission, 
Lieut. Col. Commandant of the St. Mary-le-bone 
Volunteers. This Association consisted of a corps 
of Infantry, and amounted to upwards of 800 effec¬ 
tive members. The uniform consisted of a blue 
jacket, turned up with red, blue pantaloons, &c. 
from which they were facetiously termed 44 Blue 



VOLUNTEERS. 


265 

Bottles .” The arms were provided by Government, 
and deposited at the workhouse; the parade ground 
being situated in George Street. This Corps was 
formed in 1797, and disbanded in 1801. 

The Royal York St. Mary-le-bone 
Volunteers. 

In 1802, after the short interval of peace, the 
old threat of invasion being repeated, a second 
Volunteer Corps of Infantry was speedily esta¬ 
blished under the above title, in compliment to 
His Royal Highness the late Duke of York, who 
at that time resided in the parish. This Corps 
soon arrived to great perfection in order and disci¬ 
pline, under the command of Colonel, the Right 
Honourable Viscount Duncannon, and T. Phillips, 
Esq. their Adjutant; and comprised upwards of 
1000 effective members. The uniform was diffe¬ 
rent to that of the original corps, being a handsome 
scarlet jacket, trimmed with gold lace, blue panta¬ 
loons, &c. The arms were provided by Govern¬ 
ment, and the Armoury and Orderly Room were 
first established at No. 4, Nottingham Street, and 
afterwards removed to a building at the corner of 
Mary-le-bone Lane and Wigmore Street; and the 
expenses of the Corps were defrayed by a subscrip¬ 
tion among its members. A subscription was, 
however, solicited in 1804, from those inhabitants 
who were exempt, or not eligible to serve in the 
Corps; when it was stated in the circulars distri¬ 
buted on the occasion, that nearly 20,000/. had 
been expended in establishing the Association, 
which was decidedly one of the most respectable, 
being composed principally of master tradesmen, 
and officered by gentlemen. This Corps was broken 
up in 1814, and the remains of their fund amount¬ 
ing to £.700, was presented to the Parish Charity 
School, and Middlesex Hospital; viz. £.400 to the 
School, and £.300 to the Hospital. 


266 


VOLUNTEERS. 


In the prosecution of the study of military tac¬ 
tics, various were the dangers and fatigues encoun¬ 
tered both by “ flood and field,” by this gallant 
corps, and none but those who have “ followed to 
the field some warlike lord,” can attempt to des¬ 
cribe the numerous battles, skirmishes, and gallant 
achievements accomplished by this loyal band of 
patriots. The following poetical effusion is one of 
the many which appeared at the time. 

Expedition of the 

Royal York St. Mary-le-bone Volunteers, or 
THE BATTLE OF HOUNSLOW. 

Tune.—Drops of Brandy. 

T’other day we were sent out of town, 

And sure it was one of our gay days; 

Oh! how we astonish’d each clown. 

And charm’d many beautiful ladies: 

We muster’d so neat and so clean. 

They made us all pay down four stivers. 

For which we’d a car ’mongst sixteen. 

Four horses, and one pair of drivers. 

Sing ri fol lol, &c. 

All were mounted, fat, lean, short, and tall: 

Mr. Cubitt as brisk as an eel. Sir, 

Captains, Majors, and Colonel, and all, 

WInch made us look vastly genteel. Sir; 

Drummers, Filers, and Blacks were so cramm’d. 

They wish’d that the cars were made larger; 

Says Mr. Phillips, sit still and be d-d. 

As he gallop’d along on his charger. 

Sing, &c. 

Sure the French they are landed, cry’d some. 

As we rattled along like thimder; 

To Hounslow at last we did come 
Safe and sound, which I thought was a wonder; 

Then over the heath we did scramble. 

The light Bobs were at home to a peg. Sir, 

For they fir’d every hedge, bush, and bramble. 

But tlieir Captain got shot in the leg. Sir. 

Sing, &c. 



vestry. 


267 


We search’d all the country in vain, 

For no enemy there could be found. Sir; 

So we ended a glorious campaign. 

Then our dinners we took on the ground. Sir, 

In our sacks Sir, we all found good cheer. 

And our canteens are sure very handy. 

For they carry a good quart of beer. 

With a place for a few drops of brandy. 

Sing, &c. 

Then some danc’d when they struck up the band. 
But we rode home quite sober and steady. 

And should the foe dare for to land. 

They’ll find that we always are ready. 

For our lads have got true British hearts. 

And I’m sure they will do the neat thing. Sir, 
Those may ride to the gallows in carts. 

That won’t fight for their country and King, Sir. 

Sing, &c. 


COURT HOUSE. 

The Old Court House and Watch House were erected 
in 1729, and rebuilt in 1804, but in consequence of the 
great increase of population, it being found too small and 
insufficient for conveniently carrying on the business 
of the Parish, the Vestrymen, by virtue of the powers 
vested in them by the Act of Parliament, 3d Geo. IV. cap. 
84, erected the New Court House, adjoining the Old 
Watch House in Mary-le-bone Lane, on ground on which 
was formerly situated a Pound, but latterly occupied by 
livery stables : this ground was purchased by the Parish, 
of His Grace the Duke of Portland. The building is de¬ 
signed with great taste, surmounted by a pediment, in the 
tympanum of which is placed a Clock ; and the apartments 
are replete with every convenience for the purposes for 
which they were designed. 

The Court House was opened for business in 1825. It 
contains on theBasement Story Sealing office for weights 
and measures; and Kitchen for House Porter and Beadles. 
Ground Floor. —Offices, Porter’s Hall, and Committee 
Room. First Floor .—A spacious circular Board Room, 
elegantly fitted up, and offices attached; also a Waiting 
Room for Appellants. Second Floor .—Sleeping rooms 
for Porter’s Family and domestics, and Lumber rooms for 
old Office Books and Papers. 

N 2 



268 


VESTRY. 


The Establishment of the Court House consists of the 
following persons; 

James Hugo Greenwell, Esq. Vestry Clerk. 

C. Flood, Esq. Assistant Vestry Clerk and Accountant. 
R. Scace, Survey or. 

B. Warden, Paving Clerk. 

J. Drew, Assistant Clerk. 

J. Moore, Ditto. 

House Porter. Housekeeper. Five Beadles. 


VESTRY. 

This Parish is governed under the Act of the 35th 
Geo. III. (which Act repealed the former Acts of the 8th, 
10th, 13th and 15th years of the Reign of Geo. III.) by a 
Vestry consisting of 120 Vestrymen including the Rector 
and Churchwardens, who are empowered by the Act, to 
take examinations upon Oath, in any matter or Business 
concerning the Parish. To appoint all Officers, with 
Salaries and Allowances as they may see reasonable. 
All the Parish property to be vested in the Vestrymen. 
The Vestrymen are also directed by the Act, as soon as 
they shall have ascertained the money sufficient for the 
current year, to make once a year, or ol'tener it necessary, 
five distinct and equal pound Rates; viz. one for the main¬ 
tenance of the Poor, one for repairing the Highways; one 
for Watching, one for Paving; and one tor repairing, 
cleansing and lighting; all such Rates and Accounts to 
commence on the first of January in each and every year. 

The Vestrymen are also directed to appoint annually, in 
the month of February, thirty substantial and discreet 
Persons, to be Directors and Guardians of the Poor, who, 
with the Ministers and Churchw ardens, are to carry into 
execution the pow r ers given by the Acts relating to the 
Poor. The Directors and Guardians are also directed to 
form themselves into six distinct Committees, each Com¬ 
mittee to consist of five Members, and fix an annual rule 
or rotation for their attendance. One Committee to meet 
every week, and no business transacted to be valid unless 
five members are present. The Directors and Guardians 
are also directed to hold Four General Quarterly Meetings 
in every year, viz. on the 25th of March, the 24th ot June, 
th 29th of September, and the 24th of December; and no 
business transacted at the said Quarterly Meetings to be 
valid, unless Nine Directors and Guardians attend, and 
unless the same shall be confirmed at the next Quarterly 
General Meeting. It is also provided that each Director 



VESTRY. 


269 


and Guardian shall make Oath that he will without favour 
or affection truly and impartially, according to the best of 
his skill and knowledge, execute and perform all the trusts, 
powers and authorities vested in him as a Director and 
Guardian, according to the said Act. It is also enacted, 
that all Furniture, Apparel, Tools, Utensils, Materials, &c. 
provided for the use of the Poor of the said Parish shall 
be vested in the Directors and Guardians of the Poor. 

It is also directed that no Vestryman shall hold any 
Office or Place of Profit, or have any share or interest 
in any Contract or Work to be made or done in pursuance 
of this Act, during the time he acts as Vestryman; and it 
is provided that, at all their meetings, the Vestrymen 
shall pay their own expences. 

By the 7th section of the said Act, it is directed, that it 
shall be lawful, in the month of March in every year for 
the said Vestrymen, to elect and appoint, by ballot, at 
any Vestry, duly convened, one or more fit and substantial 
parishioner or parishioners to be a Vestryman or Vestrymen 
of the said Parish, in the stead of any Vestryman who may 
die, or cease to dwell in the said Parish, or refuse to act: 
and such person or persons so elected or appointed, shall 
be vested with the same power and authority as his pre¬ 
decessor. 

By Act ofParliament, 3d Geo. IV. cap. 84, intituled an 
<c Act for altering, amending and enlarging the Powers of 
three several Acts made in the 35th, 46th, and 53d years 
of the Reign of Geo. III.” sec. 43, Provides, that from and 
after the passing of this Act, no person shall be eligible 
to be chosen or elected a Vestryman of this Parish, except 
he shall for one year at the least, previously to the time of 
electing new Vestrymen have been a Housekeeper, rated 
in the Parish Books, at a Rent of not less than fifty pounds 
per annum. 

By an Act passed 20th Oct. 1831, 1st and 2d William 
IV. cap. 59, intituled “ An Act for the better Regulation 
of Vestries, and for the Appointment of Auditors of Ac¬ 
counts, in certain Parishes of England and Wales;” it 
was provided that the said Act might be adopted by any 
Parish where the inhabitants do not meet in open Vestry ; 
under certain Regulations contained therein: the following 
of which were the principal. 

1. That any number of Rate Payers, amounting at least 
to one-fifth of the Rate Payers of the Parish, being desirous 
that the Parish should come under the operation of this 
Act, may, between the 1st of Dec. and the 1st of March 
deliver a Requisition, by them signed, and describing 
their places of Residence, to the Churchwardens, requiring 


270 


VESTRY. 


them to ascertain, according to the provisions of the Act, 
whether the majority of the Rate Payers do wish and 
require that this Act and the Provisions thereof, should be 
adopted therein. 

2. And it was further enacted, that the Churchwardens, 
shall, on the 1st Sunday in the month of March after the 
receipt of such requisition, cause a public notice to be 
affixed on the door of every Church or Chapel in the Parish, 
specifying some day, not earlier than ten, nor later than 
twenty-one days after such Sunday, and at what place or 
places within the said Parish, the Rate Payers are required 
to signify their Votes for or against the adoption of this 
Act; which Votes shall be received on three successive 
days, commencing at eight o’clock in the forenoon, and 
ending at four o’clock in the afternoon of each day. 

A large number of the Inhabitants of the Parish of St. 
Mary-le-bone, being desirous that the Parish should be 
brought under the operation of this Act (which indeed 
they had been instrumental in getting passed into a Law), 
complied with the provisions of the Act, and, after votes 
being received for three days at the Court House, there 
appeared a large majority in favour of the adoption of the 
Act; and it was accordingly adopted. 

The adoption of this Act, repealed or rendered nugatory, 
so much only of the former Acts of the 35th Geo. III. 
cap. 73, and 3d Geo. IV. cap. 84, as related to the Election 
of Vestrymen and Auditors of Accounts :—“ Provided 
always that nothing shall be construed or taken to repeal 
or invalidate any Local Act for the Government of any 
Parish by Vestries, or for the Management of the Poor by 
any Board of Directors and Guardians, or for the due< 
provision for Divine Worship within the Parish, and the 
Maintenance of the Clergy officiating therein ; otherwise 
than is by this expressly enacted, regarding the Election 
of Vestrymen and Auditors of Accounts. 

It was therefore enacted, that the Election of Vestrymen 
and Auditors of Accounts, shall take place in the month of 
May in every year. That the Vestry consist of not more 
than 120. And it was also further enacted, that at the 
first election after the adoption of this Act, one third of 
the then existing Vestry shall retire from office, and an 
equal number be elected by the Rate Payers, duly qualified 
according to the provisions of the Act; and that on the 
next election one half of the remainder of the old Vestry 
shall retire from office, the same number being re-elected 
by the Rate Payers, and on the third annual election, the 
last remaining portion of the Old Vestry shall retire, an 
equal number ofVestrymen being in like manner re-elected 


WORKHOUSE. 271 

so as to fill up the Vestry to the exact number as prescribed 
by the Act. 

And it was further enacted, that, at every subsequent 
Annual Election, those Vestrymen who have been three 
years in office shall retire, and the Rate Payers shall elect 
other Vestrymen, to the number of those who retire, filling 
up likewise any vacancies which may have occurred from 
death or other causes; provided always, that any or all 
of the Vestrymen so going out by rotation, may be imme¬ 
diately eligible for re-election. 

It is also provided, that, in the Parishes adopting this 
Act within the Metropolitan Police District, if the resi¬ 
dent Householders therein should amount to more than 
3000, then and in that case each Vestryman elected under 
this Act shall be a resident Householder rated at the relief 
of the Poor, upon a rental of not less than <£40. per annum. 
Vestries appointed under this Act to exercise the authority 
of all former Vestries. No business transacted at a Meeting 
of the Vestry to be valid unless Nine Vestrymen are 
present. Vestrymen, in the absence of the persons autho¬ 
rized by law or custom to take the Chair, to elect a Chair¬ 
man for the occasion, before proceeding to other business. 
Five Rate Payers to be elected annually, to serve the office 
of Auditors of Accounts, who shall not be Vestrymen, nor 
shall be interested directly or indirectly in any contract, 
office or employ, for the Parish for which he is to serve. 

According to the Provisions of the above Act, the Elec¬ 
tion for Vestrymen, took place in May, 1832, when 40 
gentlemen retired from office, and 40 other gentlemen 
were elected by a majority of the Rate Payers. 

According to Maitland, in 1734, the Vestry was ge¬ 
neral, and the Paiisli Officers consisted of two Church¬ 
wardens ; two Overseers of the Poor; two Constables; 
two Headboroughs ; two Surveyors of the Highways; no 
Scavengers, but the person who carried away the ashes, 
received by a voluntary contribution, about 50/. per an¬ 
num ; one Beadle, and six watchmen. 

WORKHOUSE AND INFIRMARY. 

A spacious and commodious Workhouse, situate in Nor¬ 
thumberland Street, was erected in 1775. The plans for 
the erection of this building were made by John White, 
Esq. Architect to the Duke of Portland, gratuitously ; he 
having become a convert to the prevailing opinions of 
the time, of the advantages of large establishments of this 
nature; Mr. White died in 1813, and, after having dedi¬ 
cated much attention to the interests of the Poor of this 


272 


WORKHOUSE. 


extensive Parish, was satisfied, that the opinions he enter¬ 
tained in early life on this subject were erroneous, and 
that the congregating large bodies of people, particularly 
children, w as detrimental to the true interests of Society. 

So much has been written on the Poor Laws, and on 
the Establishment of Workhouses, that it will scarcely 
be necessary to say, that viewing these Establishments 
open for the reception of the aged and infirm, the lame, 
the blind, or the indigent, reduced by unavoidable cala¬ 
mity, to fly to this last sad retreat of hopeless poverty and 
distress : as alike honourable to the benevolent character 
of the British Nation, and gratifying to contemplate; yet 
the certainty of parochial relief frequently tends to destroy 
the motives to economy and diligence among the labouring 
classes, and makes the poor man careless of his conduct, 
and indifferent whether he work or play: agreeably to 
the old song with which our Poor Laws were insulted, 
soon after their first institution: 

“ Hang- sorrow ! and cast away care ! 

** The Parish is bound to find us.” 

St. Mary-le-bone Workhouse, however, bears a superior 
character for cleanly and orderly management, every atten¬ 
tion being paid to the necessary comforts of the paupers.* 

The Infirmary was built at a later period : the old Infir¬ 
mary having been situated at the north-east comer of the 
cemetery on the south side of Paddington Street, in a 

* Died in Mary-le-bone Workhouse, Dec. 27, 1793, in his 78th 
year, Lieutenant John M‘Culloch, a native of the North of Ireland. 
Tliis gentleman had rendered great services to the British Govern¬ 
ment during the American War. In 1755, he was appointed Com¬ 
missary Assistant of Stores, to the garrison of Oswego ; but tbe 
garrison being taken prisoners by the French in 1756, he was car¬ 
ried to Quebec. He took an opportunity while there to make a 
Survey of the rocks and fortifications above the town, which he 
reported to General Shirley, with a view of reducing Quebec to the 
British arms. He returned to England in 1757, on an exchange 
of prisoners, and was introduced to General Wolfe, as a proper 
person to assist in the reduction of Quebec. The General took his 
memoranda in writing, the morning before he left London ; and 
it is well known that General Wolfe made the attempt, first, on a 
different plan, at Montmorency, and was repulsed ; but making a 
second attempt agreeably to the plan of Mr. M‘Culloch, he proved 
completely successful. In 1760, Mr. M‘Culloch was appointed a 
Lieutenant of Marines, and served on board the Richmond, Capt. 
Elphinston, and was solely the cause of taking the Felicite French 
Man of War. He subsequently fell into difficulties, and was finally 
compelled to seek refuge in the Poor-house of Mary-le-bone. 


WORKHOUSE. 273 

house which had formerly been the country villa of some 
private gentleman; it was taken down in 1795-6. 

Different Branches of the Workhouse Management. 
Superintendent’s Department .—Embraces the general 
management of the paupers in the house, paying and 
visiting out-door poor, executing orders for removal, 
apprehensions, &c. attending the Boards of Directors 
and Guardians, and keeping the accounts connected 
with and arising out of this business.—Consists of clerk 
and assistant clerk, 4 inspectors, and 3 messengers. 
Steward’s Department. —Comprises the management of 
the interior of the house, as to ordering, receiving, and 
delivering out provisions and stores. 

Matron’s Department. —The domestic economy of the 
house, as to household linen, clothing, kitchen, nursery, 
and girls’ school. 

Medical Department. —The care of the patients in the 
infirmary, and also out of the house, averaging about 
485.—Surgeon-apothecary, 2 assistants, 2 dispensers, 
and 1 laboratory man. 

Manufacturing Department. —For sacks and sacking 
mats, cordage, &c. &c. 

Boys’ School. —(Generally about 275 boys.) 

Girl’s School— (Generally about 200 Girls). 

Accountant’s Department. —For keeping the books of the 
establishment, as to the supply of provisions, stores, 
and raw materials for the manufactory; sale of manu¬ 
factured articles, &c. 

Clerk of the Works. —For the superintendence of new 
buildings, repairs, alterations, cleansing, &c. 

The duty of the Chaplain is to read prayers in some 
one or more of the wards every day, and throughout the 
wards of the infirmary once at least every week;—occa¬ 
sionally to expound portions of Scripture;—to administer 
the Sacrament to individual sick persons, to perform two 
full services in the chapel of the house on Sundays, in¬ 
cluding two sermons, baptisms, and churchings. Also to 
supervise and examine the children in the schools of the 
workhouse. _ 

Overseers of the Poor’s Account , anno 1734. 

John Deschamps, &c. received - - <£.529 4 11 

Paid on Account of the Church 176 7 5 
Paid on Account of the Poor 301 19 5! 

-478 6 10! 


Balance due to the Parish. <£50 18 0 V 
n 3 





274 woHiarbtrsc 

From an official Return made to Parliament in 1762, 
by John Austin , Vestry Clerk. 

The first Rate for the poor made in May 1761, at 6d. in 
the pound. Total of the rent-charge 18,920/. 

The second Rate for the Poor made in November 1761. 
The rents having increased, the total of the rent-charge 
amounted to 20,194/. at 6d. in the pound. 

The composition with the Trustees of the Turnpike 
Road from St. Giles’s Pound to Kilburn bridge, in lieu of 
Statute work, and towards repairing the pavement of 
Oxford Street, is 75/. 

The present contract with the Lamp-lighter, for lighting 
about 112 lamps, is 1/. 12s. per annum each. 

From Papers Ordered to be laid before the House 
of Lords , in 1805. 

Assessment for the Poor Rate in 1776, .£.4534 6 7 

Medium Average of 1783-4-5, - £.8556 5 3 

Total sum of money raised in 1803, at 2s. 

3d. in the pound - 40,557 1 2 

Expended in Suits at Law, Removal of 
Paupers, &c. in that year - - 331 2 6 

Number of persons relieved in and out of the workhouse, 
1523. Number not Parishioners relieved, 40. 

Statement of the Average Number of Paupers in the year 
ending 30 th June , 1832, with the heads under which 
they were receiving relief. 

In the workhouse, including the Infirmary, 1344 persons 


Permanent out-door Poor - - 592 

Casual out-door Poor - - 5655 

Illegitimate children - - 708 

Lunatics - - - - 81 

Out-door Dispensary patients - - 207 


Total 8587 

Mr. Stephen Watts, principal Clerk at the Workhouse, 
has filled that situation 34 years, and been in the Parish 
employ 57 years. 

The Rev. Stephen Weston, late of Edward Street, Port- 
man Square, bequeathed by his Will to the Minister 
and Churchwardens of the Parish of St. Mary-le-bone, 
In Trust for the Poor of that Parish not receiving Alms : 
Five Pounds Long Annuities, 



WORKHOUSE. 275 

Will dated October 10, 1829. Proved at Doctor's Com¬ 
mons, April 2, 1830. Vested in the names of the Rev. 
John Hume Spry, Rector. Hon. Bartholomew Bouverie, 
John Hall, Esq. then Churchwardens .* 

Table shewing the Number of Houses on a graduated 
Scale of Rental. 

.Rental. Number of Houses . 


Not exceeding 10/. per annum. 

964 

Above 10/. and not exceeding 20/. 

- 2077 

Do. 20 

ditto 

50 

5010 

Do. 50 

ditto 

100 

2614 

Do. 100 

ditto 

200 

1262 

Do. 200 

* 

- 

516 




12443 


* His Excellency the late Count Simon Woronzow, bequeathed 
the sum of £.500 to the Poor of this Parish, which was liberally 
paid without deducting- the legacy duty, by his daughter the 
Countess of Pembroke and Montgomery. It is to be regretted 
that no public memorial exists of this munificent bequest, the terms 
of the will (au maison des pauvresj having precluded any dispo¬ 
sition of the legacy, calculated to produce that effect. Had the 
benevolent intentions of His Excellency been differently expressed 
in the Will, the money mighthavebeen placed in the Public Funds, 
and the Interest annually devoted to the relief of a number of the 
industrious Poor, for ever ; in the present instance it became 
absorbed in the Poor’s Hate, and appears only in the Minutes of 
the Directors and Guardians of the Poor. 





27G 


BOROUGH. 


BOROUGH OF MARY-LE-BONE. 

By the provisions of an Act of Parliament, intituled 
an “ Act to Amend the Representation of the People in 
England and Wales,”* passed the 7th of June, 1832, the 
Borough of Mary-le-bone was created. It being enacted 
in the 3d section of the Act, that Mary-le-bone (in com¬ 
mon with other places named in the Schedule marked C, 
annexed to the said Act), shall for the purposes of this 
Act be a Borough, and shall as such Borough include the 
place or places respectively, which shall be comprehended 
within the Boundaries of such Borough, as such Bounda¬ 
ries shall be settled and described by an Act to be passed 
for that purpose in this present Parliament; which Act 
when passed, shall be deemed and taken to be part of this 
Act as fully and effectually, as if the same was incorpo¬ 
rated herewith ; and that each of the said Boroughs 
named in the said Schedule C, shall from and after the 
end of this present Parliament, return two Members to 
serve in Parliament.” 

By the Act above alluded to, intituled “ An Act to 
settle and describe the Divisions of Counties, and the 
Limits of Cities and Boroughs, in England and Wales, in 
so far as respects the Election of Members to serve in 
Parliament,” passed the 11th of July, 1832 ; the Boun¬ 
dary of the Borough of Mary-le-bone is settled to ex¬ 
tend to, and include, the whole of the three Parishes of 
St. Mary-le-bone, St. Pancras, and Paddington. 


* In the debate on the above Bill, in the' House of Commons, 
Mr. Macaulay, the Honourable Member for Caine, thus elegantly 
described this favoured spot:—“ He (Mr. Macaulay) would take 
this imaginary foreigner to that great city north of Oxford-street, 
a city equal in population to most Capitals, and in intelligence and 
wealth not inferior to any on the Globe. He would take him to 
that almost interminable range of Streets and Squares ; he would 
point out to him the brilliancy of the shops ; he would exhibit to 
hint those Palaces that encircled the Regent’s Park j he would 
inform him that the rental exceeded that of all Scotland at the 
time of the Union, and then he would inform him, that all these 
were unrepresented in the Great Council of the Nation.’* 


ELECTION. 


277 

By the Parliamentary Census of 1831, it is ascertained 
that this Borough contains a population of 240,294 
persons, viz. 

Paddington, - 14,540 Inhabitants. 

St. Pancras, - 103,548 ditto. 

St. Mary-le-bone, - 122,206 ditto. 

THE ELECTION. 

On Parliament being- dissolved by Proclamation in the 
Gazette of December 4, 1832, immediate preparation was 
made for the Election, by the erection of hustings, poll¬ 
ing booths, at various places, and the establishment of 
Committee Rooms by the different Candidates, several 
meetings having been previously held, and an active 
canvass made by the friends of each Candidate. 

The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor, Sir Peter 
Laurie, was appointed the Returning Officer. 

The principal polling booth and hustings whence the 
Candidates addressed the Electors, were erected in a 
most commanding part of Park Crescent, facing Port¬ 
land Place; and polling booths were erected at seven 
other places, for the convenience of the Electors of the 
different districts. There were originally six Candidates 
for the Suffrages of the Electors of this Borough, but 
Mr. Savage resigned, previously to the day of nomination. 

On Saturday the 8th of December (being the Day of 
Nomination), shortly after 12 o’clock, Sir Peter Laurie, 
attended by the different Candidates, and a number of 
gentlemen, appeared on the hustings. There were about 
2500 persons assembled, beyond which number there was 
but a trifling increase during the day. 

After the reading of the Precept, the Bribery Act, and 
the swearing of the Returning Officer, Sir Peter Laurie 
came forward, and proposed, that the Candidates should 
draw lots to decide the order of nomination; he also ex¬ 
pressed a wish that all the Candidates should be nomi¬ 
nated, before either of them addressed the Electors ; and 
suggested, that, to enable the business to be finished by 
daylight, each Candidate should confine his address to a 
quarter of an hour. He then announced the days of 


ELECTION. 


278 

polling, and the hours at which the polling would com¬ 
mence, viz.—To commence on Monday the 10th at 9 
o’clock in the morning, and close at 4 in the afternoon; 
and on Tuesday the llth, to commence at 8, and close 
at 4 ; the state of the poll to be announced, and the Can¬ 
didates returned to be declared, on Wednesday the 12th, 
at 10 o’clock in the morning. 

The names of the Candidates were then written on 
pieces of paper, and Sir Peter Laurie drew them forth in 
the following order: 1. Sir Samuel Whalley; 2. Mr. 
Thomas Murphy; 3. Col. Leslie Grove Jones; 4. Sir 
William Horne ; 5. Edward Berkeley Portman, Esq. 

Sir Samuel Whalley was then proposed by John Mills, 
Esq. and Mr. Potter, seconded the Nomination. 

Mr. Thomas Murphy was proposed by J. R. Elmore, 
Esq., and seconded by Major Revell. 

Colonel Leslie Grove Jones was proposed by W. 
Skrine, Esq. and seconded by W. Shaw, Esq. 

Sir William Horne was proposed by Major Carnac, 
and seconded by Dr. Southey. 

Edward Berkeley Portman, Esq. was proposed by Sir 
Samuel Hawker, and seconded by Raikes Currie, Esq. 

The Candidates having severally addressed the Elec¬ 
tors ; Sir Peter Laurie proceeded to put the names 
by show of hands in the order of nomination; the result 
was declared to be in favour of Sir Samuel Whalley, and 
Mr. Murphy. It was, however, computed that not one- 
half of the persons assembled in front of the hustings, 
were Electors. Each of the other Candidates having 
demanded a poll, a vote of thanks to the returning 
officer, was proposed by Mr. Savage, seconded by Mr. 
Haydon, and carried by acclamation. Sir Peter Laurie, 
having acknowledged the compliment, dismissed the 
assemblage, which dispersed in a few minutes, in the 
most orderly manner. 

The polling commenced on Monday the 10th, and was 
carried on with great activity both days. 

On Wednesday the 12th, the Returning Officer, 
Candidates, &c. re-assembled at the hustings ; when the 
State of the Poll was declared as follows : 


election. 


279 


E. B. Portman, Esq. - 4,317 

Sir W. Horne, - - 3,320 

Sir S. Whalley, - 2,165 

T. Murphy, Esq. - - 913 

Col. Jones, - - 316 

In all, 11,031 

The number of householders qualified to vote in this 
Borough, are 21,630. 

Sir Peter Laurie having declared Edward Berkeley 
Portman, Esq. and Sir William Horne, to be the Mem¬ 
bers duly elected and returned for the Borough of Mary- 
le-bone, to serve in the Imperial Parliament of the United 
Kingdom. Both these gentlemen, and the unsuccessful 
Candidates, addressed the assembled Electors, and the 
business of the Election closed, by a unanimous vote of 
thanks to Sir Peter Laurie, whose impartial conduct in 
the execution of the arduous task he had to perform, met 
with the approbation of all parties ; and presents an ex¬ 
ample worthy of imitation by Returning Officers through¬ 
out the Kingdom. 

It is likewise, a subject of proud congratulation, that 
the exercise of the elective franchise for the first time, by 
the inhabitants of this populous Borough, has been con¬ 
ducted with such harmony and good humour; that, while 
it might have been expected, that great excitement 
would have existed, from the novelty of the proceedings, 
yet, not a single breach of the peace occurred during the 
whole of the Election;—reflecting the highest credit 
on the good taste, discernment and moderation, of the 
enlightened inhabitants of this important Borough. 

Edward Berkeley Portman, Esq. succeeded his father* 
as Representative for the County of Dorset, and during 
the four Parliaments he has sat in the House, has made 
many great sacrifices both of money and personal conve¬ 
nience in defence of liberal principles; and uniformly 
supported the Whig interest. Mr. Portman voted for the 
repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts ; a repeal of the 
Law of Settlement, and for Reform : and stands pledged 
to support, a cheap supply of corn by a fixed duty; free 

* See p 43, ante. 



280 


ELECTION. 


trade; cheap and speedy justice; national education; 
the commutation of tithes; the reduction of all mono¬ 
polies, sinecures, and church pluralities; the total aboli¬ 
tion of slavery; of the taxes on knowledge ; the substi¬ 
tution of a property-tax for taxes pressing on the poor; 
and lastly, to vote conditionally for triennial Parliaments. 

Sir William Horne, is a Chancery Barrister, was 
appointed Attorney General to the Queen on the acces¬ 
sion of his present Majesty; Solicitor-General in 1830, 
upon the formation of Lord Grey’s administration; and 
Attorney-General in 1832, on the promotion of Sir 
Thomas Denman to the Chief Justice-ship of England, 
vacant by the death of Lord Tenterden. Sir William sat 
in Parliament many years ago for Helston, and in the 
two last Parliaments for Bletchingley, and Newton, Isle 
of Wight. This is Sir William’s fourth Parliament. He 
stands pledged to a vigilant and unremitted attention to 
the correction of all abuses. 


281 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 

Humphrey Wanley ', F.R.S. son of the Rev. Nathaniel 
Wanley, Vicar of Trinity Churchy Coventry, who wrote 
* e Microcosmos ; or. The Wonders of the Little World,” 
was born March 21, 1671-2. He was an eminent anti¬ 
quary, and Librarian to Robert and Edward, Earls of 
Oxford. Several of his Letters are in the British Museum. 
He is thus facetiously noticed in Dr. Dibdin’s Biblio¬ 
mania ;, p. 458, " Mr. Wanley was, I believe, as honest a 
man, and as learned a librarian, as ever sat down to morning 
chocolate in velvet slippers. There is a portrait of him 
in oil in the British Museum, and a similar one in the 
Bodleian Library—from which latter, it is evident on the 
slightest observation, that the inestimable, I ought to say 
immortal, founder of the Cow Pox system (my ever re¬ 
spected and sincere friend. Dr. Jenner) had not then made 
known the blessings resulting from the vaccine operation: 
—for poor Wanley’s face is absolutely peppered with 
variolous indentations! Yet he seems to have been a 
hale and hearty man, in spite of these merciless inroads 
upon his visage; for his cheeks are full, his hair is 
cropt and curly, and his shoulders have a breadth, which 
shew that the unrolling of the Harleian MSS. did not 
produce any enervating effluvia or miasmata. Our poet. 
Gray, in his epistle to Pope, ep. 18, thus hits off his coun¬ 
tenance : 

(< O Wanley, whence com’st thou with shorten'd hair , 

And visage, from thy shelves, with dust besprent ?” 

“ The following desultory information is translated from 
the preface to Hearne’s Annales Prior at us de D unstaple — 
wherein, by the bye, there is a good deal of pleasant in¬ 
formation relating to Wanley. 

“ We are here told, that Wanley was born at Coventry; 
and in his younger days, employed his leisure hours in 
turning over ancient MSS. and imitating the several hands 
in which they were written. Lloyd, Bishop of Litchfield 
and Coventry, in one of his episcopal visitations, was the 
first who noticed and patronised him. He demanded that 
Wanley should be brought to him; he examined him “ suis 
ipsius, non alterius, oculis:” and ascertained whether, 
what so many respectable persons had said of his talents, 
was true or false. t<r A few words with you, young man,” 
said the Bishop. Wanley approached with timidity 
“ What are your pursuits, and where are the ancient MSS. 


282 


biographical notices. 


which you have in your possession?” Wanley answered 
readily—exhibited his MSS.; and entered into a minute 
discussion respecting the ancient method of painting. 
His hobby-horse seems to have been the discovery of the 
ancient method of colouring or painting, yet towards 
British History and Antiquities he constantly cast a fond 
and faithful eye. How admirably well calculated he was 
for filling the situation of librarian to Lord Oxford, is 
abundantly evinced by his Catalogue of the Harleian MSS. 
which was most ably executed, and it is to be sincerely 
lamented that he did not live to complete it.” He died, 
July 6, 1726, in his 55th year. 

John Abbadie, D. D. An eminent divine, born in 
the Canton de Berne, and educated in France. He left 
that kingdom on account of the persecutions, and went to 
Berlin, where he resided many years as Minister of the 
French church. When the Prince of Orange came to 
England, Dr. Abbadie accompanied his patron Marshal 
Schomberg, and was some years Minister of the French 
Church in the Savoy. He was afterwards made Dean of 
Killaloe. His writings are numerous. On the Truth of 
the Reformed Religion. A Commentary on the Revela¬ 
tions. The Art of Self Knowledge. Several Sermons. 
An Account of the Assassination Plot. A Defence of the 
Revelation; and some Panegyrical Orations. They were 
all written in French, but most of them have been translated. 
Dr. Abbadie was esteemed one of the most eloquent men 
of his time. He is erroneously called John in the Register. 
His name was James. He died. Sept. 1727. 

James Gibbs , Esq. The celebrated architect; he was 
born in 1683, being the son of Peter Gibbs, a merchant in 
Aberdeen, at the University of which place he received 
his education, and took the degree of M. A. The Earl of 
Mar was his first patron in life, and assisted him with 
money to prosecute his studies in Italy. He settled in 
England in 1710, and in the course of a few years became 
the architect most in vogue. His principal works are the 
Radcliffe Library, and the New Quadrangle at All Souls’ 
College in Oxford, the new building at King’s College, 
Cambridge, and the Senate House at Cambridge; the 
Duke of Newcastle’s Monument in Westminster Abbey, 
the New Church in the Strand, and St. Martin’s in the 
Fields. In 1728, he published a large volume folio of 
his own designs. He gave an instance of grateful re¬ 
membrance to his patron the Earl of Mar, by leaving a 
considerable legacy to his son. All his books, prints, &c. 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 283 

he bequeathed to the Radcliffe Library in Oxford. He 
died Aug. 1754, aged 71. 

William Guthrie. Guthrie was a native of Scotland, 
where, it we may believe Churchill and some other writers, 
he followed the profession of a schoolmaster. About the 
year 1730 he came to London, and having connected 
himself with the booksellers, was in constant literary 
employ. He succeeded Dr. Johnson in supplying the 
Gentleman’s Magazine with the Debates in Parliament. 
He wrote a History of England, a History of Scotland; 
compiled some parts of the Universal History, and for 
several years carried on the Critical Review, with little 
or no assistance. In conjunction with Ralph, he published 
a Political Journal in defence of the broad bottom admi¬ 
nistration, and was engaged in many other Political works. 
He wrote a novel also; translated Quintilian and some 
parts of Cicero, and assisted in various literary under¬ 
takings. There is good reason for supposing that the 
geographical grammar, which passes under his name, was 
compiled by another hand. Mr. Guthrie was buried in 
the Cemetery on the south side of Paddington Street, 
where, against the east wall is his monument. He died. 
March, 1770. 

Anthony Relhan. Dr. Relhan, who was a Fellow of 
the College of Physicians in Ireland, resided for some 
time at Brighthelmstone, of which place he published a 
short history in 1761, with observations on the mineral 
springs and sea-bathing. He was author also of a Treatise 
on the effects of Music in medicine, and several medical 
Tracts. His son, who was a Fellow of King’s College, has 
published an account of the plants growing near Cambridge. 
He died, Oct. 1796. 

James Ferguson . This man exhibited a remarkable 
instance of native genius, surmounting the obstacles of 
poverty and obscurity, and distinguishing itself in no mean 
degree in the walks of science. Ferguson was born in 
the County of Banff, about the year 1710. The bent of 
his mind towards mechanic pursuits first discovered itself 
by the accidental circumstance of his father’s making use 
of a lever in his presence, and applying it as a prop to his 
decayed cottage, when he was only eight years of age. 
His own account of the manner in which he prosecuted 
his favourite studies, during hours snatched from the most 
laborious employments (for he was many years a farmer’s 
servant), is very curious and interesting. After struggling 


284 


BIOGARPHICAL NOTICES. 


with various difficulties, his merit procured him patrons, 
and he was enabled to pursue his studies with more ad¬ 
vantage. Having attained a great proficiency in natural 
philosophy and astronomy, he came to London in 1743; 
and having constructed an apparatus for experiments, read 
lectures in those sciences. Before he left Scotland he 
had learned to draw portraits, and for a few years after he 
came to town, practised as a limner in China ink. His 
price in 1746, was 9s. at home, or 10s. 6d. any where 
within the distance of a mile. At the same time he read 
lectures on the globes and the orrery, at his lodgings in 
Great Pulteney Street, at a shilling each lecture. In 1748, 
he tells us that he left off limning, which he never liked as 
an employment; it was certainly an art in which he did not 
excel. He continued his lectures till near the time of his 
death, which happened at his house in Bolt Cornt, in the 
month of November, 1776. He left behind him a very 
amiable character. His principal writings were, a Dis¬ 
sertation on the Harvest Moon; a Description of an 
Orrery; Astronomical and Mechanical Lectures ; Tables 
and Tracts relating to various Arts and Sciences; and a 
Treatise on Electricity. His last publication was intituled. 
Select Mechanical Exercises. He wrote his own life, to 
accompany this work, which was not published till after 
his decease. Mr. Ferguson was a Fellow of the Royal 
Society. It should not be omitted, as reflecting honour 
both on the Royal Donor and himself, that His Majesty 
allowed him ofSO. per annum, out of the privy purse, 
subject to no deductions. 

Archibald Bower. Bower was a native of Scotland, 
being born at or near Dundee, in the year 1686. He was 
educated at the college of Douay, whence he removed to 
Rome, and was admitted into the order of Jesus. He 
resided afterwards at several of the Italian Universities, 
where he read lectures in the sciences, and at length 
became counsellor to the Inquisition at Macerata. In the 
year 1726, he quitted the territories of the Pope, flying, 
according to his own account, by hairbreadth escapes 
from the resentment of the Inquisition. He bent his course 
to London, where, after a residence of some years, he 
publicly conformed to the Church of England. Meantime 
he supported himself by private pupils, and by writing 
for the booksellers. He contributed to a work called the 
Historia Literaria (in the nature of a review), and when 
that was discontinued in 1734, he engaged in the Universal 
History, upon which he w r as employed several years. In 
3748, he published the first volume of his principal work. 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


285 


the History of the Popes, which was not completed till a 
short time before his death. After the publication of the 
third volume, the work fell into discredit, and its author 
into disgrace, by the discovery of his clandestine corres¬ 
pondence with the Jesuits, into whose society he had been 
a second time admitted. A controversy relating to these 
transactions commenced in the year 1756, which ended 
to the disadvantage of Mr. Bower, who was convicted of 
many wilful falsehoods and misrepresentations. This 
controversy was principally carried on by a learned divine, 
who then held a distinguished rank in the church. Bower’s 
defence was spirited, but ineffectual. The material charges 
alleged against him were never satisfactorily answered, 
yet he continued to assert his innocence till his death. 
He died. Sept. 1766. 

Marie-Anthony-Joseph Baretti. This well known 
character was son of an architect at Turin, where he was 
born about the year 1716. After struggling with great 
difficulties in the early part of his life, he came to England 
in 1750, and settled in London as a teacher of Italian. 
He gave a proof of his extraordinary facility in acquiring 
languages, by publishing in English, within three months 
after his arrival, a defence of the Italian poetry against 
Voltaire. About this period he was introduced to Dr. 
Johnson, with whom he maintained an intimacy till nearly 
the end of his life. In 1760, he revisited his native country, 
and whilst resident at Venice, published a periodical 
paper, which added much to his reputation. At his return 
he was engaged in a controversy with Sharp, who had 
published. Letters from Italy, in which a very unfavourable 
account was given of that country and its inhabitants. 
Soon after his return from a visit to Spain in 1769, he had 
the misfortune to kill a man in an accidental affray in the 
streets. He was tried at the Old Bailey, when after a full 
investigation of the case, during which the most honourable 
testimony was borne to his character, the jury gave a 
verdict of Manslaughter. In 1770, he published an 
account of his travels, which met with a very favourable 
reception from the public. At the first institution of the 
Royal Academy, Baretti was made their Secretary for 
Foreign Correspondence. About the same time he had a 
pension of £ 80. per annum from the crown. He died on 
the 5th of May, 1789, and was interred in the cemetery 
on the north side ol Paddington Street; Dr. \ mcent, bir 
William Chambers, and some gentlemen of the academy 
attending his funeral. His letters, among which were 
several from Dr. Johnson, were burnt by his representa- 


286 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


tives.* His principal works were, an Italian Grammar; a 
Dictionary of that language, which is in very general use; 
his Travels; A View of the customs and manners of Italy ; 
a Discourse of Shakspeare and Voltaire, and an edition of 
Machiavell’s Works, Some of his later ’writings were of 
a personal nature, and are replete with acrimony. 

John Dominick Sevres. An eminent artist, who ex¬ 
celled in painting sea-pieces. He was marine painter to 
His Majesty. He died, Jan. 1793. 

Francis 'Wheatley, Esq. R. A. Mr. Wheatley, was an 
artist of eminence, and a Royal Academician: in the former 

f >art of his life he chiefly painted portraits in small whole 
engths; he resided for some time in Ireland, where he 
was much patronized, and gained considerable reputation 
by his picture of the Irish House of Commons, taken at 
the time of Mr. Grattan’s making his motion for the repeal 
of Poyning’s Act. Latterly, Mr. Wheatley devoted his 
attention to the painting of rural scenery, and exhibited 
several pictures of that description, which were much 
admired. Mr. Wheatley, at the age of 54, fell a sacrifice 
to the gout, with which he had been many years afflicted. 
There is a tombstone to his memory in the south Cemetery. 
He died, June, 1801. 

George Stubbs, Esq. This celebrated painter and 
anatomist, was in his 82d year, having been born at Liver¬ 
pool in the year 1724. He was long distinguished for his 
eminence as a painter of animals, and the exhibitions of 
the Incorporated Society of Artists, and afterwards at the 
Royal Academy, of which he was an Associate, were 
many years enriched by his works; of these, “ the Lion 
and Horse,” “ the Lion and Stag,” and the “ Brood Mares,” 
were amongst the most celebrated. Having devoted much 
labour and attention to the practice and study of compara¬ 
tive anatomy, in 1766 he brought out his magnificent and 
much-esteemed work, on the anatomy of the Horse; being 
the result of observations made by himself, during a long 
course of dissecting: the drawings and engravings were 
all made with the utmost accuracy by his own hand. 
Mr. Stubbs, at the time of his death, had completed both 
the anatomical preparations and the drawings for a work 
on the structure of the human body compared with that of 
a tiger and a fowl. Of this work, which was to be com- 

* See Life of Baretli, in the European Magazine for 1789, 
whence the above account is principally taken. 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


287 

prised in six parts, containing thirty plates, three parts 
only were published. Mr. Stubbs died at his house in 
Somerset Street, Portman Square, in July, 1806, where 
he had resided many years; he was remarkable for his 
abstemious way of life, and a very robust constitution, 
which enabled him, even after he was fourscore, to take 
an extraordinary degree of exercise for his advanced time 
of life, and to pursue his professional occupations almost 
to the last. 

Admiral Sir Richard King , Bart. Sir Richard King, 
a brave and meritorious officer, who chiefly distinguished 
himself on the East India station, where he had the rank 
of Commodore, and was engaged in all the actions with 
Mr. De Suflrein’s squadron, during the war that termi¬ 
nated in 1783. Having gone through all the inferior 
promotions, he was made Admiral of the White in 1799. 
In the year 1792, he was created a baronet, in which title 
he was succeeded by his eldest and only surviving son. 
Sir Richard King, Bart., Captain of the Achilles man 
of war, who married the only daughter of Admiral Sir 
John Duckworth, K. B. He died, Nov. 1806. 

Stephen Riou. This gentleman, who was a Captain of 
Horse, and had served in Flanders in the year 1741, dis¬ 
tinguished himself as a man of taste, by the publication of 
a splendid work, in imperial folio, on the Grecian orders 
of Architecture, explained by delineations of the Antiqui¬ 
ties of Athens, made during his travels into Greece. He 
published also an Essay on the Construction of Bridges/ 
He died, March, 1780. 

Allan Ramsay , Esq. Mr. Ramsay was principal 
portrait painter to His Majesty. He was one of the writers 
in the controversy on Elizabeth Canning’s Case, and was 
author of a pamphlet called the Investigator, and various 
Political Tracts.f His father wrote a well-known drama 
called the Gentle Shepherd, and several other Poems. 
He died, Aug. 1784. 

Sir George Collier , Knt. Sir George Collier, who 
was made a Post Captain in 1762, was employed chiefly 
on the Coast of America during the American War. In 
1775, he brought out at Drury Lane Theatre, a Dramatic 
Romance, taken from the French, called “ Selirna and 
Azor.” He died, April, 1795. 

* Gentleman’s Magazine. f Rnd Dram - 


288 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


Stephen Storace. An eminent musical composer, to 
whom the public are indebted for the music of several 
well-known comic operas; of which, the Haunted Tower 
and Siege of Belgrade, are spoken of by Professors as 
having the most distinguished merit. His last work was 
the music of the “ Doctor and Apothecary,” for Drury 
Lane Theatre. He died, March, 1796. 

William Cramer. This celebrated musician, who was 
a native of Manheim, resided many years in this country, 
where he was long at the head of his profession, arid led 
the band at the Opera House, and at most of the great 
public concerts; he was particularly eminent as a leader 
of Handel’s music. Mr. Cramer left two sons both eminent 
in the same profession: the elder is one of the principal 
leaders of the present day ; his brother is well-known as 
a piano forte player, and a teacher of that instrument. 
Miss Jane Cramer, a daughter by his second wife, is dis¬ 
tinguished by her extraordinary talents for elocution, 
which shewed themselves at an early age. He died at 
his house in Charles Street, Oct. 1799. 

The Rev. Charles Wesley. Mr. Wesley was a younger 
brother of the celebrated John Wesley, one of the founders 
of a very numerous body of men, generally known by the 
name of Methodists. Their father, Samuel Wesley, was 
author of “ The Life of Christ,” a Poem : a u Commentary 
on the Book of Job,” and other works. Charles Wesley 
was born in 1708, at Epworth; he was educated at 
Westminster school, and Christchurch, of which college 
he was a student. He accompanied his brother during 
most of his travels, and encountered with him many dangers 
and difficulties. After his marriage, he divided his time 
between Bristol and London. His writings, not so nu¬ 
merous as those of his brother, consist chiefly of hymns 
and sacred poems. His son Charles, before he was three 
years of age, exhibited uncommon musical talents; his 
youngest son Samuel, at an age not much more advanced, 
discovered the same talents and inclination for music, and 
composed an Oratorio and several other pieces, whilst a 
child. A minute account of their progress in the science, 
from the information of their father, is given in the Hon. 
Daines Barrington’s Miscellanies, p. 289-310. They 
both embraced a profession for which nature had so evi¬ 
dently designed them. Some years ago select concerts 
were given at their father’s house in Chesterfield Street, 
Marybone, at which the joint performances of the brothers, 
particularly their double lessons on the organ, were re- 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


289 

ceivfcd with much admiration and applause. Mr. Wesley 
was buried in the Church-yard of Mary-le-bone, by his own 
desire, his pall being supported by eight clergymen of 
the Church of England .—See his Life by Dr. Whitehead , 
to which is prefixed a portrait. 

Mr. Samuel Wesley, an elder brother of the above- 
mentioned Charles, had a design of publishing an edition 
of Hudibras with notes. He applied to the Earl of Oxford 
for the use of the books in his library, and his Lordship 
wrote him the following obliging answer from Dover 
Street, August 7, 1734. “I am very glad you was re¬ 
duced to read over Hudibras three times with care : I find 
you are perfectly of my mind, that it much wants notes, 
and that it will be a great work; certainly it will be, to 
do it as it should be. I do not know one so capable of 
doing it as yourself. I speak this very sincerely. Lilly’s 
life I have, and any books that I have you shall see, and 
have the perusal of them; and any other part that I can 
assist. I own I am very fond of the work, and it would 
be of excellent use and entertainment. 

The news you read in the papers of a match with my 
daughter and the Duke of Portland was completed at 
Mary-le-bone chapel,” &c.* 

What progress he made in the work, or what became 
of his notes, does not appear. 

Alexander Dalrymple. The late Alexander Dalrymple, 
F. R.S., F.A.S., &c. was the seventh son of Sir James 
Dalrymple, Bart., of New Hailes, near Edinburgh, by 
Lady Christian, daughter of the Earl of Haddington. In 
1752, he was appointed a writer in the East India Com¬ 
pany’s service, on the Madras Establishment; and having 
from his earliest years had a great thirst for geographical 
knowledge, he was induced to forego considerable advan¬ 
tages, which he might have derived from remaining at 
Madras; and in 1759 proceeded on a voyage of discovery 
to the eastward, which had been proposed by himself, 
and acceded to by the Governor, Sir George Pigot. In 
this voyage he visited Sooloo, and concluded a treaty with 
the Sultan; in 1762, he returned to Madras, and the same 
year embarked on another voyage to Sooloo, in the course 
of which he visited the Island of Balambangan, and ob¬ 
tained a grant of it for the East India Company. In 1765, 

* Extract of a letter from Lord Oxford, taken from original 
letters by the Reverend John Wesley and bis friends, illustrative 
of his early history, published by Joseph Priestley, LL. D. printed 
at Birmingham, 1791. 


O 


290 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


lie returned to England. In 1769, when the Royal Society 
proposed to send out persons to the South Seas to observe 
the transit of Venus, Mr. Dalrymple was fixed upon for 
the superintendence of the voyage, and the prosecution 
of discoveries in that quarter; but Lord Hawke, then at 
the head of the Admiralty, refusing to give the command 
to any but a naval officer, he declined the undertaking. 

In 1775, Mr. Dalrvmple was appointed one of the 
Council at Madras; in 1779,hydrographerto the East India 
Company, and in 1795, hydrographer to the Admiralty. 
On the 20th of May, 1808, having refused to resign the 
last-mentioned office, on the ground of superannuation, 
and to accept of a pension, he was dismissed from his 
situation; and it is said, that in the opinion of his medical 
attendants, his death was occasioned by vexation arising 
from that event. A motion was shortly afterwards made 
on this subject in the House of Commons, when the Secre¬ 
tary to the Admiralty, after bearing the most ample testi¬ 
mony to the talents and services of Mr. Dalrymple, fully 
justified the conduct of that board, which had adopted a 
necessary measure with much reluctance. Mr. Dalrymple 
died on the 19th of June, 1808, at his house in High 
Street, Mary-le-bone, and was buried in the small cemetery 
adjoining the church. There is no monument to his 
memory. 

Thomas Holcroft. This well-known writer was of 
humble origin, having been originally, as it is said, a 
shoemaker in the north. Possessing great natural endow¬ 
ments, and much industry, he acquired such a knowledge 
of the modern languages as enabled him to translate from 
them with great facility. He was for some years a per¬ 
former in the provincial theatres, and soon after his coming 
to London, in 1778, he obtained an inferior engagement 
at Drury Lane Theatre, but never distinguished himself 
as an actor; he produced several pieces for the stage ; but 
none that were very successful, excepting “ The Road to 
Ruin,” which had a great run, and still continues to be 
popular. Mr. Holcroft was author of “ Anna St. Ives,” 
and other novels; a Tour in France and Normandy : some 
Poems, and numerous translations of Memoirs, Novels, 
&c. from the French and German. He died at his house in 
Clipstone Street on the 23d of March, 1809, and was 
buried in the larger cemetery at Mary-le-bone. There is 
no memorial for him. 

John Vandrehank. A portrait painter much in fashion 
during the reigns of George I. and II. is said by Vertue 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


291 


to be an Englishman (though by his name, at least of 
foreign extraction), and to have attained his skill without 
any assistance from study abroad. Had he not been 
careless and extravagant, says that author, he might have 
made a greater figure than almost any painter this nation 
had produced; so bold and free was his pencil, and so 
masterly his drawing.* He died of a consumption when 
he was not above forty-five years of age, at his house 
in Holies Street, Cavendish Square, December 23, 1739, 
He had a brother of the same profession. 

John Michael Rysbrach. This celebrated statuary 
was born at Antwerp in 1693. His father was a Landscape 
Painter, and had been in England, but quitted it with 
Largilliere and went to Paris, where he married, and re¬ 
turning to Brussels and Antwerp, died at the latter in 
1726, at the age of fourscore. Michael his son arrived 
here in 1720, then about the age of twenty-six, and began 
by modelling small figures in clay, to show his skill. The 
Earl of Nottingham sat to him for his bust, in which the 
artist succeeded so well, that he began to be employed on 
large works, particularly monuments. For some time he 
was engaged by Gibbs, who was sensible of the young 
man’s merit, but turned it to his own account, contracting 
for the figures with the persons who bespoke the tombs, 
and gaining the chief benefit from the execution. The 
statuary, though no vain man, soon felt his own merit, 
and shook oft' his dependence on the architect, as he 
became more known and more admired. Business crouded 
upon him, and for many years all great works were com¬ 
mitted to him; and his deep knowledge of his art, and 
singular industry, gave general satisfaction. His models 
were thoroughly studied, and ably executed; and as a 
sculptor capable of furnishing statues was now found, 
our taste in monuments improved, which till Rysbrach’s 
time had depended more on masonry and marbles, than 
statuary. Besides numbers more, Rysbrach executed the 
monuments of Sir Isaac Newton, and of the Duke of Marl¬ 
borough at Blenheim, and the equestrian statue in bronze 
of King William at Bristol in 1733, for which he received 
£ 1800. He also made a great many busts, and most of 
them very like, as of Mr. Pope, Gibbs, Sir Robert Wal¬ 
pole, the Duke and Duchess of Argyle, the Duchess of 

* In 1735, he made drawings for Lord Carteret’s edition of Don 
Quixote which were engraved by Vaudergutclit. Hogarth’s de¬ 
signs were paid for, but rejected, and were likewise afterwards 
engraved.— Nichols. 

o 2 


292 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


Marlborough, Lord Bolingbroke, Wootton, Ben Johnsori> 
Butler, Milton, Cromwell, and himself; the statues of 
King George I. and of King George II. at the Royal 
Exchange; the heads in the Hermitage at Richmond, and 
those of the English worthies, in the Elysian fields at 
Stowe. 

This enjoyment of deserved fame was at length inter¬ 
rupted by the appearance of Mr. Scheemaker’s Shakspeare 
in Westminster Abbey, which besides its merit, had the 
additional recommendation of Mr. Kent’s fashionable name. 
Piqued at Mr. Scheemaker’s success, Rysbrach produced 
his three statues of Palladio, Inigo Jones, and Fiamingo, 
and, at last, his chef-d’oeuvre, his Hercules; an exquisite 
summary of his skill, knowledge, and judgment. This 
athletic statue, for which he borrowed the head of the 
Farnesian god, was compiled from various parts and 
limbs of seven or eight of the strongest and best made 
men in London; chiefly the bruisers and boxers of the 
then flourishing amphitheatre for boxing ; the sculptor se¬ 
lecting the parts which were the most truly formed in each. 
The arms were Broughton’s, the breast, a celebrated 
coachman’s, a bruiser; and the legs were those of Ellis 
the painter, a great frequenter of that gymnasium. As 
the games of that Olympic Academy frequently terminated 
to its heroes at the gallows, it was soon afterwards sup- 

S essed by Act of Parliament; so that in reality Rysbrach’s 
ercules is the monument of those gladiators. It was 
purchased by Sir R. C. Hoare, and is the principal ornament 
of the noble temple atStourhead, that beautiful assemblage 
of art, taste, and landscape. 

Mr. Rysbrach, who had by no means raised a fortune 
equal to his deserts, before his death made a public sale 
of his remaining works and models, to which he added a 
large collection of his own historic drawings, conceived 
and executed in the true taste of the great Italian masters. 
Another sale followed his death, which happened Jan. 8, 
1770. He resided in High Street. 

John T Vootton. A scholar of Wyck, was an excellent 
master of that branch of his profession to which he princi¬ 
pally devoted himself, viz. painting horses and dogs, 
which he both drew and coloured with consummate skill, 
fire and truth. He was first distinguished by frequenting 
Newmarket, and draw ing race-horses. The prints from 
his hunting-pieces are well know r n. He afterwards ap¬ 
plied himself to landscape, approached tow ards Gaspar 
Poussin, and sometimes imitated happily the glow r of 
Claud Lorrain. He died in January 1765, at his house in 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 293 

Cavendish-Square, which he built, and had painted with 
much taste and judgment. 

J. Sigismond Tanner , Esq. Engraver to the Mint for 
forty years, was appointed chief graver in 1740. He had 
retired from business, and died at his house in Edward 
Street, Cavendish Square, March 16, 1773. 

Benjamin W?st, Pres. R. A. This distinguished artist 
was born at Springfield, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 
Oct. 10, 1738. He was the youngest of ten children of 
John West, who removed to Pennsylvania, in 1714, 
where he married Sarah, the daughter of Mr. Thomas 
Pearson, M ho had accompanied Penn thither in 1681. His 
genius exhibited itself at the early age of six years, when 
he made a pen and ink sketch of his sister’s infant, while 
it w r as sleeping in its cradle. Though entirely destitute of 
the requisite materials, yet he triumphed over every ob¬ 
stacle that fortune had placed in the way of the indulgence 
of his favourite pursuit. Having obtained some red and 
yellow colours from the Indians, and some Indigo from his 
mother, he supplied himself with a pencil, by plucking 
the hairs from a cat’s back. After struggling with innu¬ 
merable difficulties, he w r as at last permitted by his friends 
to yield himself to the impulse of his genius. At the age 
of fifteen he painted portraits at Lancaster, and was esta¬ 
blished as a portrait painter in Philadelphia at the age of 
18, he also painted some historical compositions. By the 
liberality of his friends and patrons, he was enabled to 
visit Rome in the 22d year of his age, for the purpose of 
studying the works of Raphael and Michael Angelo. He 
w as here patronized by Lord Grantham, whose portrait he 
painted, which was submitted to many artists and connois¬ 
seurs, and had the honour to be taken for one of the best 
coloured pieces of Mengs. He now visited Bologna, 
Mantua, Parma, Venice, and Verona, and made himself 
acquainted with the style of the best masters of the Italian 
School. In 1763, he came to England, arrived in Lon¬ 
don on the 20th of June, and shortly after took lodgings 
in Bedford Street, Covent Garden, where he set up his 
easel. The first pictures he exhibited, were Angelica and 
Medora ; Cimon and Iphigenia; and a portrait of General 
Monckton. These productions were well received, and 
he obtained the patronage of many dignitaries of the 
church, and especially of Dr. Drummond, Archbishop of 
York. Mr. West was married in September, 1765, at 
the church of St. Martin in the Fields, to Miss Shewell, 
daughter of a respectable merchant at Philadelphia, to 


294 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


whom lie had formed an attachment, before he visited 
Rome, and who came over accompanied by a relation, that 
the ceremony might be performed, without impeding the 
progress of his studies. The Archbishop of York now 
introduced Mr. West to the King, who commanded him 
to paint the subject of the * Departure of Regulus;’ the 
production of this picture gained him the personal confi¬ 
dence of his Majesty, Avhich was rendered eminently ser¬ 
viceable in the establishment of the Royal Academy, 
founded in 1768. He now devoted himself entirely to 
historical compositions, which are exceedingly numerous, 
his later productions were * Christ Rejected,’ and * Death 
on the Pale Horsethe latter was painted when the artist 
was nearly 80 years of age. Mr. West succeeded Sir 
Joshua Reynolds, as President of the Royal Academy in 
1792, and held it till his death, with the exception of the 
year 1806, when Mr. Wyatt filled that office. He died at 
his house in Newman Street, on the 11th of March, 1820. 

Joseph NolleJcens, Esq. R. A. This celebrated sculptor 
was born on the 11th of August, 1737, in Dean Street, 
Soho. In his thirteenth year lie was placed in the studio 
of Scheemakers ; and went to Rome in 1760. He was 
admitted an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1771, and 
Royal Academician in the following year. Mr. Nollekens 
enjoyed the patronage of His Majesty George III. and by 
habits of strict parsimony, amassed an immense fortune. 
He died at his house in Mortimer Street, April 23, 1823, 
leaving property amounting to nearly £.300,000, which, 
with the exception of about .£.6000 divided in legacies, 
was bequeathed to Francis Palmer, Esq. and the well- 
known antiquary, Francis Douce, Esq.; the latter gen¬ 
tleman being residuary legatee. John Thomas Smith, Esq. 
of the British Museum, one of the executors to his will, 
who had a legacy of cOOO, has published “ The Life of 
Nollekens, comprising Memoirs of Contemporary Artists,” 
this work is written with great feeling and taste, and is 
replete with strokes of humour, traits of character, and 
anecdotes of genius and manners of life. 

John Bacon, Esq. R. A. An eminent sculptor, was 
born in London on the 24th of November, 1740. His 
father was a clothworker in Southwark. In 1755, and 
at the age of 14, he was bound apprentice to Mr. Crispe, 
of Bow Churchyard, where he was employed in painting 
on porcelain. Mr. Crispe had a manufactory of China at 
Lambeth, where Mr. B. occasionally assisted. In attend¬ 
ing this manufactory, he had an opportunity of observing 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


295 

the models of different sculptors, which were sent to 
a pottery on the same premises, to be burnt. The sight 
of these models, inspired him with an inclination for the 
art of sculpture, to the study of which he applied himself 
with the most unreruitted diligence; his progress was as 
rapid as his turn for it was sudden and unpremeditated; 
and between the years 1763 and 1766, the first premiums 
awarded by the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, 
in those classes for which he contended, were no less than 
nine times adjudged to him. About the year 1763, he 
commenced working on marble. In 1768, lie attended 
the Royal Academy, which was instituted in that year; and 
the following year, the first gold medal for sculpture, given 
by that body, was decreed to Mr. Bacon. He became an 
Associate in 1770, and a Royal Academician in 1778. 
His reputation was, however, publicly established by the 
exhibition of his statue of Mars, which recommended him 
to the notice of that liberal patron of the Arts, the Arch¬ 
bishop of York, who presented him to His Majesty, who 
was graciously pleased to sit to him for a bust, which the 
Archbishop designed to place in the hall of Christ Church 
College, Oxford. His execution of this work procured him 
the Royal patronage, and Mr. Bacon afterwards executed 
three other* busts of His Majesty, one of which has been 
placed in the meeting room of the Society of Antiquaries. 
He was soon afterwards employed by the Dean and Chapter 
of Christchurch in forming several busts for them, particu¬ 
larly of the late General Guise, the Bishop of Durham, 
and the Primate of Ireland. 

It would far exceed the limits of this notice, to give a 
list of his numerous works ; among the principal, may be 
mentioned. Lord Chatham’s monument in Guildhall; the 
bronze group in the Square at Somerset House ; Sir G. 
Pococke’s and Bishop Thomas’s Monuments in West¬ 
minster Abbey ; Mr. Howard’s and Dr. Johnson’s, in St. 
Paul’s, and the Pediment at the East India House. Mr. 
Bacon had under his hand at the time of his death, several 
important commissions, among which were, a group for 
India, containing a colossal statue of the Marquis Corn¬ 
wallis; an equestrian bronze of William III. for St. 
James’s Square, with some others of minor importance. 

This distinguished artist and excellent man was sud¬ 
denly attacked with an inflammation in his stomach, on 
the evening of Sunday, Aug. 4, 1799, which carried him 
off in two days. During this short illness he expressed a 
firm reliance on that sure foundation on which he had long 
and consistently built. He departed this life on Wednes¬ 
day morning, August 7, in the 59th year of his age; leav- 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


296 

mg two sons and three daughters by his first wife, and 
three sons, by his last, the surviving widow. He was 
buried under the north gallery of Whitfield’s Chapel, 
Tottenham Court Road, and according to his direction, a 
plain tablet was placed over his grave, for which he had 
written the following inscription : 

“ What I was as an Artist, seemed to me of some importance while 

I lived. But what I really was, as a Believer in Christ Jesus, 

is the only thing of importance to me now.” 

Sir Francis Bourgeois , R. A. This gentleman was 
descended from a Swiss family, but was born at London 
in 1756. His original destination was to the army, but 
having been taught to draw when a child, he became so 
much attached to the art, that he resolved to pursue it pro¬ 
fessionally. He was accordingly placed as a pupil with 
Mr. Loutherbourg, whose style he adopted, and acquired 
considerable reputation by his landscapes and sea-pieces. 
After travelling for improvement, he settled in London, 
and rose to distinction. He was appointed painter to the 
King of Poland, who honoured him with the Order of 
Merit; and his knighthood was confirmed by His Majesty 
George III. by whom he was nominated his landscape 
painter. He acquired a large collection of pictures by the 
will of Mr. Desenfans; these, with the bulk of’’his pro¬ 
perty, he bequeathed to Dulwich College. He died at his 
house in Portland Road, January 8, 1811. 

John Jaclcson, R. A. This eminent portrait painter, 
was bon> at Lastingham, a small village in the North 
Riding of Yorkshire, May 31, 1778. His father was the 
village tailor, and he himself commenced his career in 
that humble occupation. He had from his childhood, a 
predilection for drawing, and in 1797, at the age of 19, he 
ventured to offer himself as a portrait painter at York ; 
during one of his excursions to Whitby, he obtained the 
honour of an introduction to Lord Mulgrave, who patro¬ 
nized, and recommended him to the notice of the Earl of 
Carlisle. At Castle Howard he copied the Three Mary’s, 
by Annibal Caracci, with considerable success. He was 
also patronized by the late Sir George Beaumont, Bart, 
came to London in 1804, and in the following year be¬ 
came a student at the Royal Academy. In 1807, he was 
established as a portrait painter, and every succeeding 
year furnished specimens of his abilities for the Exhibition 
at Somerset-House. He was elected an Associate of the 
Royal Academy in 1816, and a Royal Academician, in 
18l8. In the former year he accompanied General the 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


297 

Hon. Edmund Phipps in a tour through Holland and Flan¬ 
ders ; and in 1819, he accompanied Mr. Chantrey in a 
tour of Italy ; at Rome, he was elected a member of the 
Academy of St. Luke, and met with great attention from 
Canova, who sat to him for his portrait. One of his last 
exhibition pictures was a portrait of his intimate friend 
Chantrey, painted for Sir Robert Peel. He had an un¬ 
common readiness and skill of hand, his colouring was 
deep, clear, and splendid, and in this he resembled Rey¬ 
nolds more than any artist since his day. He died at his 
house at St.John’s Wood, June 1,1831. 

The Rev . William Holioell Carr , B. D. F. R. S. Vicar 
of Menhenniot, Cornwall. This gentleman’s paternal 
name was Hoi well. He was of Exeter College, Oxford, 
M. A. 1754, B. D. 1790, and was presented to the Vica¬ 
rage of Menhenniot, one of the most valuable benefices 
in Corn Avail, by the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. Mr. 
Carr was for many years a distinguished patron, as well 
as an exquisite connoisseur of the Fine Arts, and was a 
Director of the British Institution. His private collection 
of pictures consisted principally of productions of the 
Italian School; one of which, “ Christ disputing with 
the Doctors,” was bought of Lord North wick, in 1824, 
it is said, for <£.2600. Mr. Carr bequeathed his valuable 
collection to the Nation, stipulating however, that a gallery 
should be provided, where they might be properly seen 
and justly appreciated. He died at his house in Devon¬ 
shire Place, Dec. 24, 1830, aged 72. 

David Pilce Watts , Esq . This gentleman received the 
first rudiments of his education from Alexander Cruden, the 
Author of the “ Concordance to the Bible.” He became 
connected with Benjamin Kenton, Esq. an eminent wine 
merchant in very early life: Mr. Kenton had an only 
daughter, and a mutual affection arose between this lady 
and Mr. Watts, but Mr. Kenton refused his consent to, 
their union, which had such an effect upon the young lady, 
that she fell into a gradual decline, and sunk into a pre¬ 
mature grave : and the conduct of Mr. Watts on this trying 
occasion, so endeared him to his patron, that upon retiring 
from business, he left him the management of the whole 
of his extensive concern. 

Mr. Watts married Miss Morrison of Durham, by whom 
he had two sons and one daughter. Both the sons were 
brought up to the army. David, the elder, died in the 
20th year of his age, in Jamaica, of the yellow fever; and 
Michael, who was Ensign in the Coldstream Guards, fell 
o 3 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


298 

at Barossa, also in his 20th year. His daughter was united 
to Jesse Watts Russell, Esq. of Ham Hall near Ashbourne, 
Derbyshire, and proved, with her family, the solace of his 
declining years. 

Mr. Kenton died May 25, 1800 ; leaving the chief part 
of his fortune to Mr. Watts, who shortly afterwards re¬ 
tired from business, and devoted his active mind to the 
extension of his fortune in the promotion of the public 
welfare ; in which he may be literally said, to have gone 
about doing good. Thus he became the liberal friend of 
literature and learned men—he respected their talents, and 
lamented and secretly relieved the severe privations of 
many, whose studies had not always secured them from 
temporal distress; and whose station or professional 
habits were such as to depress their merit. 

The same disposition led him to patronize Christ’s 
Hospital, the Institution of Sunday Schools, and all the 
methods adopted for the religious instruction of youth: 
he gave a hearty encouragement to the Institution of the 
Central National School in Baldwin’s Gardens, and also 
to those Parochial and Ward Schools more immediately 
attached to his places of business and residence. 

His private charities were boundless. The conciliatory 
manner in which he bestowed his relief, filled many a 
heart with joy, and many an eye with tears of gratitude, 
and his name will be blessed by the remembrance of his 
deeds, in the hearts of numerous individuals, and of as 
many public institutions, of which he never suffered him¬ 
self to be an inactive benefactor. It may be truly said 
that this gentleman lived beloved and died lamented, at 
his house in Portland Place, on the 29th of J uly, 1816, in 
the 62d year of his age 

Sir Thomas Bernard , Bart. This gentleman was son 
of Sir Francis Bernard, Bart. Governor of New Jersey, 
who was created a Baronet in 1780; and was born at 
Lincoln, April 27, 1750. During his father’s life-time 
lie was appointed to the official situation of Commissary 
of Musters; he also studied the law, and was called to the 
Bar in 1780, by the Hon. Society of the Middle Temple; 
he however selected the more retired business of Convey¬ 
ancing, in which he rapidly rose to a high degree of 
reputation and practice. 

In 1782, he married Margaret, daughter and co-heiress 
of Patrick Adair, Esq. by which marriage, and by assiduous 
attention to his profession for fifteen years, he acquired a 
sufficient competency, withdrew himself from the Law, 
and devoted his future life to an occupation more congenial 
to Iris feelings. 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


299 


The end* ay our to ameliorate the condition of the poor, 
was his first object, and from his unceasing exertions to 
attain that object, he became the most distinguished 
philanthropist of the age. 

Mr. Bernard had taken an active part on the Committee 
of the Foundling Hospital for some years before he retired 
from business, and he was elected Treasurer to the Hos¬ 
pital in 1795, which opened a new field for his benevolent 
exertions. In conjunction with Count Rumford, he intro¬ 
duced a system of economy, in cooking and fuel, on the 
Count’s principle, which effected a saving of twenty-five 
chaldrons of coals in the first year, also saving the labour 
of one of the two cooks, rendering that of the remaining 
one more easy, and dressing the food better than before. 

The success of this experiment led to the formation of 
a scheme in 1796, for introducing the same system of 
economy into the Mary-le-bone Workhouse. For this 
object a subscription of £ 100. each from Mr. Bernard, 
the Bishop of Durham, Mr. Eliot, Mr. Wilberforce, and 
some others, was raised in order to commence operations; 
but the proposal was not acceded to by the Vestry. 

He was the author of the plan for the formation of the 
“ Society for Bettering the Condition of the Poor,” and 
was one of the founders of the “ School for the Indigent 
Blind,” in the year 1800. He also fitted up at an expense 
of £ 1000. a large Chapel in West Street, Seven Dials, 
the whole body of the Chapel being free for the Poor. 
This Chapel was opened on the 25th of May, the sermon 
being preached by Dr. Porteous, Bishop of London. 

He was a Member of the Committee of the London 
Fever Institution, and of the Jennerian Society; and was 
one of the founders of the Royal Institution, in 1799, and 
in 1805, furnished the outline of the plan for forming 
“ The British Institution for Promoting the Fine Arts 
in the United Kingdom,” which was established on the 
4th of June in that year; and on the 29th of June Mr. 
Bernard, agreed, on behalf of the Committee, for the pur¬ 
chase of the Shakspeare Gallery in Pall Mall; which 
Gallery was opened for the Exhibition and Sale of the 
productions of British Artists, in the following spring. 

In the year 1804, on account of ill health, Mr. Bernard 
purchased a house in Wimpole Street, and resigned his 
ollice of Treasurer to the Foundling Hospital. 

He formed the Alfred Club in Albemarle Street, which 
was opened on the 1st of January, 1809. In January, 
1810, he succeeded to the Baronetage on the death of Sir 
John Bernard in the West Indies. In 1811, he raised a 
subscription of 3000 guineas for the purchase of Mr. 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


300 

West’s Picture of “ Christ Healing the Sick,” which the 
Artist had intended to present to his native city Phila¬ 
delphia. This picture w r as exhibited in the Gallery of the 
British Institution, and has since been presented by the 
Directors, to the National Gallery. 

In 1812, Lady Bernard was attacked by a severe 
illness, and Sir Thomas accompanied her Ladyship to 
Brighton, where he raised a subscription of c^bOO. to 
complete a chapel, which had been commenced, but neg¬ 
lected for want of funds. In this year, he began his work 
on the “ Comforts of Old Age,” which was about half 
finished on the day of her Ladyship’s death, which hap¬ 
pened after a happy union of 31 years, on Whitsunday 
morning June 6, 1813, she having suddenly expired while 
preparing to go to Church. The u Comforts of Old Age,” 
has passed through four editions. 

In 1813, Sir Thomas arranged, “ The Political Life of 
Lord Barrington,” which was published in 1814, as 
coming from the Bishop of Durham, but his Lordship in 
the Preface, very handsomely gave the credit of the work 
to the person who had so kindly undertaken the labour. 

On the 15th of June, 1815, Sir Thomas Bernard, cele¬ 
brated his second marriage with Miss Hulse, the youngest 
sister of Sir Edward Hulse of Breamore House, Hants, 
Bart.; and continued to his death in the uninterrupted 
enjoyment of all the advantages to be derived from con¬ 
genial habits, and from a pure and benevolent heart. 

In 1816, and 1817, Sir Thomas exerted himself to 
obtain a repeal of the Salt Duties, and in December, 1817, 
published “ The Case of the Salt Duties with Proofs and 
Illustrations.” In the next Session of Parliament a Com¬ 
mittee was appointed to enquire into the Salt Laws. The 
increased exertion he now used in procuring evidence 
for the Committee brought on a severe illness, and he 
was induced to leave London at the earliest possible time 
and from medical advice, proceeded to Leamington Spa, 
where he arrived in the middle of June: from this mo¬ 
ment he gradually grew weaker, until the morning of 
the 1st of July, 1818, when his valuable life terminated 
without a struggle. 

In private life he was serene, cheerful, and hospitable. 
His memory retained much useful information and lively 
anecdote collected in his various and extensive reading, 
which rendered his society at once instructive and enter¬ 
taining. His table was the resort of many of the most 
distinguished characters of the day, in Literature, Science, 
and the Fine Arts. 

Leaving no issue, he was succeeded in the Baronetagq 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


301 

by his only surviving brother, the late Sir Scrope Bernard 
Moreland, of Nether Winchendon, Bucks, and Pall Mall, 
London. 

Mrs. Elizabeth Montague. This learned and ingenious 
Lady, was the daughter of Matthew Robinson, Esq. of 
West Layton, in Yorkshire; of Coveney, Cambridgeshire 
and of Mount Morris, in Kent; by Elizabeth, daughter 
and heiress of Robert Drake, Esq. She was born at 
York, Oct. 2,1720, but lived, for some of her early years, 
with her parents, at Cambridge, where she derived great 
assistance in her education from Dr. Conyers Middleton, 
whom her grandmother had taken as a second husband. 

She had early a love for society, and it was her lot to 
be introduced to the best. In 1742, she was married to 
Edward Montague, Esq. of Denton Hall, in Northumber¬ 
land, and Sanclleford Priory, in Berkshire, grandson of 
the first Earl of Sandwich, and member in several succes¬ 
sive Parliaments for the Borough of Huntingdon. By his 
connections and her own, she obtained an extensive range 
of acquaintance, but selected as her especial friends and 
favourites, persons distinguished for taste and talents. 
By Mr. Montague, who died without issue in 1775, she 
was left in great opulence, and maintained her establish¬ 
ment in the learned and fashionable world for many years 
with great eclat, living in a style of most splendid hospita¬ 
lity. She died in her eightieth year, at her house in Port- 
man Square, Aug. 25, 1800. 

She had early distinguished herself as an author; first, 
by “ Three Dialogues of the Dead,” published along with 
Lord Lyttelton’s; afterwards by her classical and elegant 
“ Essay on the Genius and Writings of Shakspeare,” in 
which she amply vindicated our great poet from the gross, 
illiberal, and ignorant abuse, thrown out against him by 
Voltaire. 

Few persons had seen more of life than Mrs. Montague, 
and of that part of mankind, who were eminent either for 
their genius or their rank ; and for many years her splendid 
house in Portman Square was open to the literary world* 
She had lived at the table of the second Lord Oxford, the 
resort of Pope and his contemporaries ; she was the inti¬ 
mate friend of Pulteney and Lyttelton ; and she survived 
to entertain Johnson, Goldsmith, Burke and Reynolds, 
till their respective deaths* Dr. Beattie was frequently 

* She formed a literary Society, w hich for some years, was the 
topic of much conversation, under the name of the Blue Stocking 
Club. Various accounts have been given of the origin of the title* 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


302 

her inmate, and for many years her correspondent; and 
Mrs. Carter was, from their youth, her intimate friend, 
correspondent, and visitor. Since her death four volumes 
of her epistolary correspondence have been published by 
her nephew and executor, Matthew Montague, Esq. but 
in consequence of some violent criticism, he declined to 
publish the remainder, which has been severely regretted 
by the literary world; had the whole series been com¬ 
pleted, a just idea might have been formed of Mrs. Mon¬ 
tague’s character, and the result, we may venture to pre¬ 
dict, would have been highly favourable. 

The Rev. Dr. Alexander Geddes. This learned writer 
was a native of Arradowl, in the parish of Ruthven, and 
County of Banff, in Scotland; he was bred a Roman 
Catholic, and educated at the Scotch College in Paris. 
Here school divinity and biblical criticism occupied the 
principal part of his time; and he endeavoured also to 
make himself master of the Greek and Latin languages, 
and of the French, Spanish, German, and Low Dutch. 

After finishing his education, he was successively priest 
of several Roman Catholic Congregations in Scotland. In 
1780, he quitted his native country in consequence of 
having been deposed from his office by Bishop Hay for 
having occasionally attended the ministry of Mr. Buchanan, 
The same year the University of Aberdeen granted him a 
diploma for the degree of Doctor of Laws, being the only 
instance it is said, in which that honour had been conferred 
on a Roman Catholic; he officiated for twelve years at 
the Imperial Ambassador’s Chapel in London ; and after 
that was shut up, at the Chapel in Duke Street, Lincoln’s 
Inn Fields. At an early age, he distinguished himself 
as an Hebraist, and turned his attention to biblical criti¬ 
cism, and having examined many rare MSS. both at Paris, 
and after his return from the continent, he began, in 1782, 

but it is generally said to Lave arisen from the circumstance of a 
person excusing himself from going to one of its very early meetings, 
on account of his being in a deshabille, to which it was replied : 
“ No particular regard to dress is necessary in an assembly devoted 
to the cultivation of the mind ; so little attention, indeed, is paid 
to the dress of the parties, that a gentleman would not be thought 
very outre who should appear in blue stockings This lady 
was, for many years noticed for the benevolent peculiarity of giving 
an annual dinner on May-day to all the little climbing boys, 
apprentices to the chimney sweepers of the metropolis. Perhaps 
her attention to these too frequently distressed children, led to 
those humane regulations, which, through the exertions of Mr. 
Jonas Hauway, were determined on by Parliament. 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


303 

a new translation of the Bible, of which he published a 
prospectus in 1786; in 1792, he brought out the first 
volume, containing the Pentateuch and the Book of Joshua, 
under the patronage of Lord Petre, from whom, during 
several years, and till the death of that nobleman, he ex¬ 
perienced the most generous and active friendship. Pre¬ 
viously to the publication of this work, great expectations 
having been raised by the known learning of the author, 
a most respectable subscription was obtained for it, graced 
by the names of the most eminent literary characters, both 
at home and abroad, from among the different denomina¬ 
tions of Christians. On its appearance, however, it was 
found to abound in passages which were not only deemed 
exceptionable and disgusting by members of the Church 
of England, but were so much disapproved by those of 
his own community, that public censures were passed 
upon him by the Vicar Apostolic of the London district. 
Regardless of these censures. Dr. Geddes, in 1797, 
published a second volume, containing the books of 
Judges, Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles: and in the 
preface openly avowed opinions hostile to the belief of 
the inspiration of the Scriptures, as assented to both by 
his church and our own. His reputation for learning, 
was very considerable in Scotland, and he was one of the 
literati who took a very active part in the Institution of 
the Society of Antiquaries at Edinburgh. In their volume 
for 1792, he wrote 44 A Dissertation on the Scoto-Saxon 
Dialect,” and 44 The first Eklog of Virgil,” and 44 The first 
Idyllion of Theocritus, translatitt into Scottis vers,” in 
the former of which the Edinburgh dialect is chiefly imi¬ 
tated, and in the latter the Buchan. Besides these Dr. 
Geddes wrote many fugitive pieces, essays, poems in the 
Newspapers and Magazines, and was a considerable con¬ 
tributor to the Analytical Review. In the year 1793, 
Dr. Geddes took a house in Allsop^s Buildings, New 
Road, where he continued to reside till his death, which 
happened on the 26th of February, 1802. Dr. Geddes’s 
funeral was attended by many eminent divines of very 
different religious persuasions; he was buried in the 
church-yard at Paddington, where is a plain upright, stone 
to his memory, put up in 1804, at the expcnce ot Lord 
Petre, with the following inscription: 

44 Rev. Alexander Geddes, LL. D. Translator of the 
Historical Books df the Old Testament, died, Feb. 26, 
1802, aged 65.” 

44 Christiania my name,and Catholic my surname, l grant 
that you are a Christian as well as I, and embrace you as 
my fellow disciple of Jesus; and it you were not a disciple 


304 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


of Jesus, still I would embrace you as my fellow man.”— 
Extracted from his Works. 

“ Requiescat in Pace.” 

There is a life of Dr. Geddes, in 8vo. with his portrait 
prefixed, written by John Mason Good, M. D. who was 
his particular friend, and published in 1803. 

The Rev. Basil Woodd. This gentleman was born at 
Richmond, in Surrey, on the 5th of August, 1760. On 
leaving his paternal roof, he became the pupil of the Rev. 
Thomas Clarke, Rector of Chesham Bois, and at the age 
of seventeen, was entered student of Trinity College, 
Oxford, where he took the degree of Master of Arts. On 
the 10th of March, 1783, he was ordained deacon, at the 
Temple Church, London, by Dr. Thurlow, Bishop of 
Lincoln, and Sept. 19, 1784, was ordained priest, at 
Westminster Abbey, by Dr. Thomas, Bishop of Rochester; 
at this time he frequently officiated at St. Paul’s, Deptford ; 
but was shortly afterwards chosen Lecturer of St. Peter’s 
Cornhill, which situation he filled for twenty-four years. 
In February, 1785, Mr. Woodd received the appointment 
of Morning Preacher at Bentinck Chapel, of which he 
purchased the lease in 1793, and where he continued his 
labours with diligence and success up to the time of his 
death. In the year 1808, he was presented by Lady 
Robert Manners, to the Rectory of Drayton Beauchamp. 
In addition to Mr. Wood’s ministerial duties, he ren¬ 
dered himself exceedingly active in establishing schools 
under his superintendence more than 3000 children have 
received their education in the schools connected with 
Bentinck Chapel: he was also the founder of several ex¬ 
cellent benevolent institutions, and was particularly in¬ 
strumental in establishing a fund for the relief of the sick 
and afflicted within the range of his observations. As an 
author Mr. Woodd never appeared in any voluminons 
work, but several Tracts ancl Discourses from his pen 
have obtained a considerable circulation. 

In 1785, Mr. Woodd introduced public worship on 
Sunday Evenings, at Bentinck Chapel; this was deemed 
a novel proceeding and met with great opposition; he 
however persevered, and such is the effect of laudable 
example, that opposition was succeeded by imitation; 
Evening Lectures having been successively established 
at the Parish Church ancl the other Chapels. 

Mr. Woodd resided at Paddington, where he died 
sincerely lamented by all who knew him, on the 12th of 
April, 1831, and was interred in Paddington Churchyard., 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 305 

where a splendid monument by Rossi , has been erected 
to his memory. 

James Brooke, Esq. This gentleman was well known 
to the chief wits of liis time ; and was particularly intimate 
with Johnson, Garrick, Churchill, Wilkes, Lloyd, Mur¬ 
phy, &c. as well as with most of the Bon Vivants of his 
early days, though his own habits were very temperate. 
He possessed considerable literary talents, which were 
chiefly exercised in numberless political pamphlets, pro¬ 
logues, epilogues, songs, &c. He conducted “ The North 
Briton ,” after it was relinquished by Wilkes, till the final 
termination of that once popular work. He was tho¬ 
roughly acquainted with mankind, and abounded in anec¬ 
dotes, which he related in a very easy, lively and enter¬ 
taining manner. A daughter of this gentleman, a most 
amiable and accomplished lady, who died in the prime of 
life, was married to the late Philip Champion Crespigny, 
Esq. King’s Proctor, and formerly M. P. for Sudbury and 
Aldborough. Mr. Brooke retained his faculties, as well 
as his vivacity and humour, almost to the close of his life ; 
and died after a short illness, at his house in Rathbone 
Place, Oct. 23, 1807. 

Count Simon Woronzow. This distinguished Noble¬ 
man was born at Moscow in the year 1744, of a noble 
family, which in point of rank and antiquity was inferior 
to none in the Russian Empire. After active service in 
the army during the war between Russia and the Ottoman 
Porte in 1770-1-2-3, he retired to Italy, where he re¬ 
mained till 1781. He was appointed Russian Minister at 
Venice in 1782, and was sent on a special mission to the 
Court of London in 1789, where he soon after became 
resident Minister and Ambassador. He, however, re¬ 
tired from the service of the Emperor Paul, when that 
monarch formed an alliance with the First Consul Buo¬ 
naparte. The Count was re-appointed Ambassador to the 
Court of St. James’s, on the accession of Alexander. 
He visited Russia in 1802, but soon returned to England, 
and, after the marriage of his daughter to the Earl ol Pem¬ 
broke in 1808, he never quitted this country, except for 
short excursions to France in 1815, and 1819, which he 
undertook to visit his son Count Michael, who was Com¬ 
mander -in-Chief of the Russian corps, forming part of the 
European Army of Observation. 

His Excellency was highly esteemed in the elevated 
circle in which he moved. He died at his house in Mans¬ 
field Street, on the 21st of June 1832, in the 88th y ear o£ 


306 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


his age, and his remains were deposited in a vault under¬ 
neath the Parish Church of St. Mary-le-bone, which also 
contains the remains of one of his grandsons. By his 
death, numerous charitable Institutions of this country, 
have lost a constant and liberal benefactor. He distri¬ 
buted in charity more than £A700 a year. 

Sir George Leonard Staunton , Bart. F. R. S. This 
gentleman was Secretary to Lord Macartney in his Em¬ 
bassy to China, and was a Member of the Royal Institu¬ 
tion. He was son of a gentleman of small fortune in the 
County of Galway, in Ireland; and sent early to study 
physic at Montpelier, whence he proceeded M. 13. On 
his return to London, he translated Dr. Storck’s “ Trea¬ 
tise on Hemlock,” and drew up a “ Comparison between 
the literature of England and France.” for the Journal 
Etranger, in France. He married a daughter of Benjamin 
Collins, Esq. Banker, at Salisbury; and, before Jhe em¬ 
barked for the West-Indies, wrote a farewell letter to Dr. 
Johnson, inserted in his Life by Boswell. He resided 
there some years ; and his fortune increasing by his prac¬ 
tice, he purchased an estate in Grenada, where he obtained 
the friendship of Lord Macartney, the Governor, acting 
as his Secretary, and as Attorney-General of the Island; 
having exchanged the medical profession for that of the 
law, soon after his arrival out ; on the capture,, of that 
Island by the French he returned to England, and on his 
Lordship’s appointment to the Government of Madras, he 
accompanied him as his Secretary, and was appointed one 
of the Commissioners to treat of peace with Tippoo Sul- 
taun. On his return to England, the India Company 
settled on him a pension of 500/. per annum; the King 
created him a Baronet, and the University of Oxford con¬ 
ferred on him the degree of LL.D. In the Embassy to 
China, he was not only appointed Secretary of the Lega¬ 
tion, but had the title of Envoy Extraordinary and Minister 
Plenipotentiary, to be ready in case of accident, to supply 
the Ambassador’s place. He afterwards published an 
Account of the Embassy, and died at his house in Devon¬ 
shire Street, Portland Place, Jan. 31, 1801, after long 
suffering under a paralytic affection. 

Richard Brothers. During the years 1792-3-4, the 
minds of the credulous had been much disturbed by the 
prophecies of this man, who had been a Lieutenant in the 
Navy ; among other extravagancies promulgated by Mr. 
Brothers, he styled himself the ‘Nephew of God and 
predicted the destruction of all Sovereigns, the downfall 


BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 


307 

of the Naval power of Great Britain, and the restoration of 
the Jews, who under him as their Prince and Deliverer, 
were to be re-seated at Jerusalem : all these events were 
to be accomplished by the year 1798. His writings, 
founded on erroneous explanations of the Scriptures, at 
length made so much noise, that Government found, it 
expedient to interfere ; and on the 14th of March 1795, he 
was apprehended at his lodgings. No. 58, in Paddington 
Street, under a warrant from the Secretary of State. After a 
long examination before the Privy Council, in which Mr. 
Brothers persisted in the divinity of his legation, he was 
committed into the custody of a State Messenger. On the 
27th he was declared a lunatic, by a Jury appointed under 
a Commission of Lunacy, assembled at the King’s Arms 
in Palace Yard ; and was subsequently removed to a pri¬ 
vate Madhouse at Islington, where he remained till the 
year 1806, when he was discharged by the authority of 
Lord Chancellor Erskine. After his liberation, he resided 
some time in the neighbourhood of the Edgware Road, 
and afterwards in Upper Baker Street, where he died on 
the 25th of January, 1824. Mr. Brothers was seen in the 
streets a few days before his death, walking with great 
difficulty, and apparently in the last stage of a consump¬ 
tion. It is a singular fact, that the minister died of a bro¬ 
ken heart, and that the doctor under whose care he was 
confined, committed suicide. 


Eccentric Characters. 

John Elwes, Esq. The family name of Mr. Elwes was 
Meggot, and his father was a brewer of great eminence. 
His dwelling house and offices were situated in South¬ 
wark, which borough was formerly represented in Par¬ 
liament by his grandfather Sir George Meggot. He 
purchased, during his life, the estate now in possession 
of the family, at Marcham, in Berkshire, of the Calverts, 
who were in the same line. His father died while the 
late Mr. Elwes was only four years old. 

At an early period of his life he was sent to Westminster 
School, where he remained for ten or twelve years. He 
there exhibited great application, and became an ex¬ 
cellent classical scholar. 

From Westminster School, Mr. Elwes, removed to 
Geneva, where he soon entered upon pursuits more 



ECCENTRIC CHARACTERS. 


308 

agreeable to his taste; he became passionately fond of 
horses, and from his constant attendance in the Riding 
Academy there, became one of the first riders in Europe. 

On his return to England after an absence of two or 
three years, he was introduced to his Uncle, Sir Harvey 
Elwes, who then lived at Stoke, in Suffolk, perhaps the 
most perfect picture of human penury that ever existed. 
On the death of Sir Harvey, his fortune which amounted 
to at least 250,000L fell to his nephew, Mr. Meggot, 
who by will, was ordered to assume the name and arms 
of Elwes. 

To this property Mr. Elwes succeeded when he had 
advanced beyond the fortieth year of his age, and when 
his own private property was supposed to be very little 
inferior. For fifteen years previous to this period, it 
was, that he was known in the more fashionable circles 
of London. He had always a turn for play, and it was 
only late in life, and from paying always, and not always 
being paid , that he conceived disgust at the inclination. 
The theory which he professed, “ that it was impossible 
to ask a gentleman for money f he perfectly confirmed 
by practice; and he never violated this feeling to the 
latest hour of his life. 

The manners of Mr. Elwes were so gentle, so attrac¬ 
tive, so gentlemanly and so engaging that rudeness 
could not ruffle them, nor strong ingratitude break their 
obervance. He retained this peculiar feature of the old 
Court to the last. 

It is curious to remark, how in his early life, he then 
contrived to mingle small attempts at saving, with objects 
of the most unbounded dissipation. After sitting up a 
whole night at play for thousands with the most fashionable 
and profligate men of the time, amidst scenes of unri¬ 
valled splendour, he would walk out about four in the 
morning, not towards home, but into Smithfield, to 
meet his own cattle, which were coming to market from 
Thaydon Hall, a farm of his in Essex, There would 
this same man, forgetful of the scenes he had just left, 
stand, in the cold or rain, bartering with a carcase butcher 
for a shilling! Sometimes, when the cattle did not 
arrive at the hour he expected, he would walk on in the 
mire to meet them; and, more than once has gone on 


JOHN ELWES, ESQ. 309 

foot the whole way to his farm without stopping, which 
was seventeen miles from London, after sitting up the 
whole night. 

To see him setting out on a journey was truly curious ; 
his first care was to put two or three eggs, boiled hard 
into his great coat pocket, then, mounting one of his 
hunters, his next attention w’as to get out of London, 
into that road where turnpikes were the fewest. Then, 
stopping under a hedge where grass presented itself for 
his horse, and a little Water for himself he would sit 
down and refresh himself and his horse together. Here 
presenting a new species of brahmin, worth 500,000L 

The chief residence of Mr. Elwes, previous to the 
death of his uncle, was in Berkshire, at his own seat at 
Marcham. Here it -was he had two sons born, who 
inherit the greater part of his property under his will 
made in 1786. 

The keeping fox hounds was the only instance, in the 
whole life of Mr. Elwes, of his ever sacrificing 1 money 
to pleasure, and may be selected, as the only period 
when he forgot the cares, the perplexities, and the regret, 
which his wealth occasioned. But they were kept with 
such a strict regard to rigid economy, that the whole 
fox hunting establishment, huntsman, dogs, and horses, 
did not cost him 300Z. a year. 

As instances of his inordinate passion for saving: 
he would walk home in the rain in London, sooner than 
pay a shilling for a coach: he would sit in wet deaths 
sooner than have a fire to dry them: he would eat his 
provisions in the last stage of putrefaction sooner than 
have a fresh joint from the butcher’s ; and he wore a wig 
for above a fortnight, which he picked up out of a rut in 
a lane through -which he was riding. 

Mr. Elwes, from his father, Mr. Meggot, had inherited 
some property in houses in London; particularly about 
the Haymarket, not far from which Mr. Elwes drew his 
first breath—for, by his register, it appears, he was born 
in St. James’s Parish. To this property, he began now 
to add, by engagements with one of the Adams’s about 
building, which he increased from year to year to a very 
large extent. Great part of Mary-le-bone soon called him 
her founder. Portland Place and part of Portman 


310 


ECCENTRIC CHARACTERS. 


Square, the barracks and stables of the 2d Regiment 
of Life Guards, and buildings too numerous to name, all 
rose out of his pocket; and had not Lord North and his 
American war kindly put a stop to this rage for building, 
much of his property would have been laid out in bricks 
and mortar. 

Mr. Elwes had resided thirteen years in Suffolk, when 
the contest for Berkshire presented itself on the dissolu¬ 
tion of parliament; and when, to preserve the peace of 
that county, he was nominated by Lord Craven. Mr. 
Elwes, at once agreed to the proposal made to him, it 
coming farther enhanced by the agreement, that he was 
to be returned by the freeholders free of expense. It is 
said, that all he did, was dining once at the ordinary at 
Reading, and that he got into Parliament for Is. 6d. 

He was first chosen for the County of Berks, in the 
year 1774, and sat as Member during three successive 
Parliaments, a period of about twelve years, and it is to 
his honour, that in every part of his conduct, and in 
every vote he gave, he proved himself to be what he truly 
was an independent country gentleman. In all his 
parliamentary life he never asked a single favour. He, 
however, supported the celebrated coalition which became 
so unpopular, and with that coalition, ended the parlia¬ 
mentary life of Mr. Elwes. 

The spring of 1786, Mr. Elwes passed at Stoke, he 
then removed to his farm-house, at Thaydon Hall, where, 
having been taken ill, he lay nearly a fortnight without 
assistance, but recovering, he made his will, in which 
he bequeathed the whole of his property, to be equally 
divided between his two sons, George Elwes, Esq. of 
Marcham in the County of Bucks, and John Elwes, 
Esq. of Stoke in the County of Suffolk, formerly Lieut, 
of the 2d Regiment of Life Guards. The entailed estates 
fell to Mr. Timms son of Richard Timms, Esq. Lieut.- 
Col. of the 2d Regiment of Life Guards. The will is 
dated the 6th of August, 1786. 

The summer of 17&8, Mr. Elwes passed at his house 
in Welbeck Street. His chief employment used to be 
that of getting up early in a morning to visit some of 
his houses in Mary-le-bone, which during the summer 
were repairing. During the year 1789, his memory 


MR. CUSTANCE. 


311 

visibly weakened every day; and from the unceasing; 
wish to save money, he now began to apprehend he 
should die in want of it. He was, however, persuaded 
to allow himself to be taken gratuitously into Berkshire, 
where at his seat at Marcham, he was taken ill on the 
18th of Nov. and after lingering eight days, he expired 
on the 26th, in presence of his two sons, with the ease 
with which an infant sleeps on the breast of its mother, 
worn out with the rattles and toys of a long day. 

Mr. Custance. A very eccentric, yet worthy cha¬ 
racter. He was originally a carpenter, but for many 
years past followed an employment more congenial to his 
wishes, leaving him more time to prosecute his studies. 
His indefatigable application to observations, both with 
the ^elescope and microscope, rendered him an acute 
observer of the works of creation, from its minutest 
object to the more sublime appearance of the heavenly 
bodies, in both of which departments of science the 
many important discoveries he made are sufficient to 
rescue his name from oblivion. He excelled, in a high 
degree, in the art of preparing vegetable and other bodies, 
for the purposes of microscopical inspection, of which 
he has given the world many curious and unequalled 
specimens; and left a valuable and excellent philoso¬ 
phical apparatus behind him, which his economical and 
abstemious way of living for many years had enabled 
him to purchase. His apartment formed a complete 
museum; and what with books, instruments, pictures, 
natural curiosities, together with a large finger-organ, 
he had scarcely room left for his bed and a few chairs. 
Among many other eccentricities, he never suffered any 
person to do any thing for him; he kept no servant, nor 
was ever married; he cooked and did every thing for 
himself, and was never in any house of public entertain¬ 
ment for thirty-five years. He was temperate, pious, 
and of the strictest integrity ; while his communicative 
disposition and attentive assiduities endeared him as 
much to those who had the pleasure of knowing him, as 
his many peculiarities of living and dress attracted the 
notice of those who were but superficially acquainted with 
his character. He died at his apartments in Upper 
Mary-le-bone Street, on the 11th of Jan, 1799. 


312 


REMARKABLE EVENTS. 

Cato Street Conspiracy. 

This Conspiracy was one of the most atrocious, 
though extravagant plots recorded in history. Its ulti¬ 
mate end was to effect a revolution; its immediate 
object, the assassination of the Ministers. The framer 
of this plot was Arthur Thistlewood. Born about the 
year 1770, he started in life originally with some fortune, 
and with a fair proportion of the advantages of education. 
He was a subaltern officer, first, in the militia, and 
afterwards in a regiment of the line, stationed in the 
West Indies. After having resigned his commission, 
and spent some time in America, he passed into France, 
where he arrived shortly after the fall of Robespierre. 
There he imbibed all the opinions of w 7 hich that unhappy 
country was the propagator and the victim, and adopted 
the belief, that the destruction of the Institutions of his 
country was the only object worthy of the labours of a 
man. He had been deeply engaged in the absurd scheme 
of Dr. Watson. Having, like the Doctor been acquitted, 
he thought proper soon afterwards, to send a challenge 
to Lord Sidmouth, for which Thistlewood was tried, found 
guilty, and punished by fine and imprisonment. 

After his liberation in Aug. 1819, actuated by a spirit 
of revenge, he employed himself in forming connections 
with the most degraded of the lowest and poorest class. 
Ings, a Butcher, Tidd and Brunt, Shoemakers, and a 
man of colour named Davison, were his principal con¬ 
fidants. These men held meetings in a hired room in 
the neighbourhood of Gray’s Inn Lane, wffiere the ne¬ 
cessity of murdering the Ministers and subverting the 
Government was frequently discussed. At length, at a 
Meeting held on Saturday the 19th of Feb. 1820, it was 
resolved that poverty did not allow them to delay their 
purposes any longer, and that, therefore, the Ministers 
should be murdered separately, each in his ow r n house, on 
the following Wednesday. Meetings were held on the 
Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, and the whole plan was 
arranged. On the latter day, however, Thistlewood 
w T as informed by a conspirator named Edwards, who was 


REMARKABLE EVENTS. 313 

a spy in the pay of Government, that a Cabinet dinner wa s 
to take place at Lord Harrowby’s house in Grosvenor 
Square on the morrow. Thistlewood immediately pro¬ 
cured a Newspaper, and, on reading the announcement, 
exclaimed, “ It will be a rare haul to murder them all 
together!'’ Fresh arrangements were determined on, 
and it was agreed that one of their number was to go 
to the door with a note, and when it was opened, the 
others were to rush in; and while a part secured the 
servants, the remainder were to force themselves into 
the apartment where the Ministers were assembled, 
and murder them without mercy; it was particularly 
specified that the heads of Lords Sidmouth and Castle- 
reagh were to be brought away in a bag. The other 
parts of the plan were so absurd and extravagant, that it 
is not necessary here to specify them. 

The W ednesday was spent in preparing weapons and 
ammunition, and in writing proclamations; and towards 
six in the evening, the conspirators assembled in a stable 
situated in Cato Street, Edgware Road. The building 
contained two rooms over the stable, accessible only by 
a ladder; in the larger of which, a sentinel having been 
stationed below, the conspirators mustered, to the number 
of twenty-four, or twenty-five, all busy in preparing for 
the bloody catastrophe. 

The Ministers, however, had been made acquainted 
by Edwards, with every step that had hitherto been taken; 
and a man named Hidon, who had been solicited to join 
in the plot, had warned Lord Harrowby of it, on Tuesday. 
The preparations for the dinner were continued, lest the 
conspirators should take alarm, though no dinner was 
in fact to be given. 

In the mean time, a strong party of Bow Street 
Officers, headed by Mr. Birnie, proceeded to Cato Street, 
where they were to be met and supported by a detach¬ 
ment of the Coldstream Guards, under the command of 
Captain Fitzclarence. The officers arrived about 8 o’clock, 
and entering the stable, mounted the ladder, and found 
the conspirators in the loft, on the point of proceeding 
to the execution of their scheme. Smithers, one of the 
officers, attempting to seize Thistlewood, was pierced by 
him through the body, and immediately fell. The lights 
p 


314 


REMARKABLE EVENTS. 


were then extinguished, and some of the conspirators 
escaped through a window at the back of the premises. 
The military detachment now arrived, and by the joint 
exertions of the soldiers and officers, nine were taken 
that evening, and conveyed to Bow Street. Thistlewood 
was among those who had escaped, but he was arrested 
next morning, in bed, in a house near Finsbury Square. 
Some others were seized in the course of the next two 
days. 

On the 27th of March, true bills of indictment for 
High Treason were found against eleven of the prisoners, 
and on the 17th of April, Thistlewood was put on his 
trial. The principal witness was a conspirator of the 
name of Adams, who had escaped from Cato Street, but 
had been taken on the following Friday, and had re¬ 
mained in custody up to the time he was produced in 
Court to give evidence. After a trial which lasted three 
days, the accused was found guilty of High Treason, 
by having conspired to levy war against the King. 
Ings, Brunt, Field and Davison were afterwards severally 
tried and convicted. The remaining six, permission 
being given to withdraw their former plea, pleaded guilty. 
One of them, who appeared to have joined the meeting- 
in Cato Street, without being aware of its true purpose, 
received a pardon; and the other five had their sentence 
commuted to transportation for life. Thistlewood with 
the four above-named prisoners, was executed on the 
1st of May; all of them, excepting Davison, who was 
very repentant, glorying in what they had attempted, 
and regretting its failure, rather than repenting of 
their atrocious guilt. 

The discovery of this plot created a great sensation 
throughout the kingdom, and some were found to com¬ 
plain of the use which government had made of spies 
on this occasion. But as the guilt of the prisoners was 
• established by evidence altogether independent of Ed¬ 
wards, the case was free from the circumstance, which 
renders the use of spies most objectionable, viz. the 
hazard of confiding in the testimony or information of 
men, who are professedly pursuing a system of deceit 
and treachery. The plot was clearly proved to be the 
result of most infuriated depravity; and it is also fully 


REMARKABLE EVENTS. 


315 


established, by the declaration of Thistle wood, made imme¬ 
diately before his execution, that Edwards was neither 
its instigator or framer; it w T as therefore absurd to talk 
of the seduction of men, who, in a court of justice, 
defended assassination as a virtue, and even on the 
scaffold, exulted in the remembrance of their scheme of 
murder, as a picture, with the contemplation of w’hich 
their fancy could never be satiated. 


Sir Charles Warwick Bampfylde, Bart, was shot in 
the street, in the open day, shortly after he had come 
out of his house in Montagu Square, on the 7th of April, 
1823. J. Morland, the assassin, had formerly been in 
his service, and his wife Avas in Sir Charles’s service at 
the time. Upon seeing that his aim had taken effect, 
Morland discharged a second pistol into his own mouth, 
which killed him on the spot. This horrible deed was 
committed while under the influence of jealousy, which 
has since been proved to have been entirely groundless. 
Sir Charles lingered till the 19th, when he expired in 
great agony. The jury which sat on the body of the 
murderer, having returned a verdict of felo de se, his 
body was buried in the cross road, opposite St. John’s 
Wood Chapel. Sir Charles was descended from one of 
the most distinguished families in Devonshire, and -was 
in his 71 st year. 


On the 21st of June, 1825, the square of houses 
formed by Great Titchfield Street, Wells Street, Morti¬ 
mer Street, and Margaret Street, was nearly all de¬ 
stroyed by a dreadful fire, which commenced in the 
workshops of Mr. Crozet, carver and gilder, in Great 
Titchfield Street; caused by a kettle containing a com¬ 
pound called French polish, boiling over, which set fire 
to some shavings of wood. The flames spread rapidly 
to the premises of Mr. Woolley, a stable-keeper; Mr. 
Stoddart, a pianoforte-maker; Mr. Stout, who had a 
mahogany and timber-yard; Mr. Messer, acoachmaker; 
Messrs. Bolton and Sparrow, Upholsterers; the Chapel 
of Ease in Margaret Street; Mr. Pears, perfumer; Mr. 




316 


REMARKABLE EVENTS. 


Arnold, grocer; Miss Storer and Mrs. Vennes. In 
Mortimer Street, the houses of Mr. Wales, cabinet¬ 
maker ; Mr. Hunt, card-maker; Mr. Reid, sofa and chair- 
maker; Mr. Kensett, cabinet-maker; and Messrs. Holt 
and Scheffer, were in a short time reduced to ruins. A 
party of the guards soon arrived at the spot, and assisted 
the police officers in aiding the firemen, and preventing 
plunder. But all the exertions of the firemen, with a 
plentiful supply of water, appeared to have no effect in 
extinguishing the flames. In the whole, not less than 
30 houses and shops were destroyed; more than 100 
families were thus deprived of a home ; and many who were 
lodgers, lost all they possessed, excepting the property 
they carried about their persons. Among the property 
burnt were some of the valuable carvings belonging to the 
Duke of Rutland, which were deposited in one of the 
warehouses, and on which an insurance to a large amount 
had been effected in the Westminster Fire Office. His 
late Royal Highness the Duke of York, and several of 
the Nobility, visited the ruins and set on foot a liberal 
subscription for the sufferers. 


Joanna Southcott. This notorious impostor was a 
native of Exeter, and, in conjunction with others, had 
long practised on the ignorance and credulity of the 
lower classes, by a series of the most gross and impious 
absurdities. It is also lamentable to record that very 
many persons of respectable condition in life, from 
whom better things might have been expected, suffered 
themselves to be deluded by her irrational and abominable 
pretensions. She died at her house in Manchester Street, 
Manchester Square, Dec. 27, 1814. The silencing of 
her preacher Tozer, and shutting up of the chapel, which 
he had opened, had by no means diminished the number 
of her believers, nor had the non-completion of her pro¬ 
phecies decreased, apparently, their faith. Her corpse, 
after having been examined by the surgeons, was re¬ 
moved, on the 31st to an undertaker’s in Oxford Street, 
where it remained till the interment. On the 3d of 
January, it was carried in a hearse, so remarkably plain 



DISTRICT SOCIETIES. 


317 


as to give it the appearance of one returning from, rather 
than proceeding to church, accompanied by one coach, 
equally plain, in which were three mourners. In this 
manner they proceeded to the new cemetery adjoining 
St. John’s Wood Chapel. So well, indeed, had their 
measures been concerted, to avoid notice, that there was 
scarcely a person in the ground unconnected with it. A 
fourth person arrived as the body was being borne to the 
grave. This was supposed to be Tozer. The grave 
was taken, and notice given of the funeral, under the 
name of Goddard. Neither the Minister of St. John’s, 
who read the service, nor any of the subordinate persons 
belonging to the Chapel, were apprised of the real name 
of the person about to be buried, till the Funeral reached 
the Chapel. For the inscription to her memory, see 
p. 142, ante. 


DISTRICT SOCIETIES. 

In addition to the numerous Charities already 
mentioned in this volume, there are four District 
Societies, established for the purpose of visiting 
and relieving the Sick and Poor at their own habi¬ 
tations. The funds distributed in this way, are 
raised by voluntary contributions, and principally 
by Ladies, who take an active part in the manage¬ 
ment. 

It appears from the abstract of the accounts of 
the four District Societies, submitted to the Ge¬ 
neral Meeting on the 25th of April, 1832 ; that 
the gross amount of the Receipts for the year end¬ 
ing the 25th of March 1832, was 2422/. 16s. 8d % 
of which sum was expended 2326/. 11s. 6d. in 
relieving 5017 Cases of various descriptions, with 
Money, Provisions, and Fuel; and in providing 
Linen, Blankets, Shoes, Medicine, &c. Ol thia 
number 910 were Lying-in cases relieved by tho 
Ladies. 



318 


St. Mary-le-bone Bank for Savings. 

This Institution, constituted and enrolled accord¬ 
ing to Act of Parliament, 9th George IV. cap. 92. 
was established under the patronage of His Grace 
the Duke of Portland, at the Old Court House, in 
July 1830; but has been recently removed to No. 
14, Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square. 

The Objects of this Bank, are, under the sanc¬ 
tion and protection of the Legislature, to receive 
such small sums as may be saved by Tradesmen , 
Mechanics , Servants , Labourers , and persons of a 
similar description, as well as their Children , not 
only residing in this Parish, but in other adjacent 
Parts ; also from Friendly and Charitable Socie¬ 
ties , to invest the Deposits in Government Securi¬ 
ties, and to manage the same for the benefit of the 
Depositors: and thus enable the industrious and 
frugal, by commencing early in life with saving 
only a few shillings weekly, to make a provision 
for times of need, or to purchase an annuity, or in 
some other way to provide for independence in old 
age. 

Sums are received at this Bank (as it suits the 
Depositor’s convenience) as low as One Shilling 
at a time; and as soon as they amount to Five 
Shillings , and have been deposited one month, 
they will become entitled to a Monthly Interest. 

Auditors. 

Stephen Cleasby, Esq. George Robert Paul, Esq. 

Sampson Hodgkinson, Esq. 

Secretary and Actuary. Mr. Finney. 

Assistant Secretary. 

Mr. Douglass Finney. 


319 


The Queen’s Bazaar. 

Is situated in Oxford Street, nearly opposite the 
Pantheon, and comprises a Ladies Bazaar for the 
Sale of Miscellaneous Articles; and galleries for 
the reception and display of works of art: this 
Bazaar is much frequented by the Nobility and 
Gentry. The pictures now exhibiting at this 
Establishment, are Mr. D. Roberts’s Grand Pic¬ 
ture of the “ Departure of the Israelites out of 
Egypt, painted with Dioramic effect, by H. Sebron, 
pupil of Mr. Daguerre,” and the Physiorama, con¬ 
taining Twelve Views, arranged in a gallery two 
hundred feet long. The Public are admitted to 
both Exhibitions, for Is. each person. 


the End. 


ERRATA, 


P. 14, line 29, for Rector, read Minister. 

P. 148, line 8, read “ The pipes underneath Stratford 
Place, are very numerous, and cross each other in so many 
different directions, as to present the appearance of reti¬ 
culated lace-work.” 


LONDON: 

HUNTED BY JOHN SMITH, 49, LONG-ACHE, 




































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































